Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), has been commended for exhibiting discipline in all its methods of work, most especially towards civilian activities .
This remark was highlighted by Isingiro local leaders and residents while conducting Tarehe Sita civil military activities in Mabona Ward – Isingiro Town Council.
The activities included, cleaning of Mabona Health Center III and Mabona Trading Center to promote sanitation and hygiene in the area. UPDF also distributed reflector jackets to Mabona Stage Boda Boda riders.
The area Councilor Mabona Ward in Isingiro Town Council Mr. Ian Godwin appreciated UPDF commanders in the region for their exceptional discipline that has created peace.
“In the past armies, for one to be known as a soldier you had to mistreat civilians which is not the case with UPDF, indeed your are a peoples’ army, we have not registered any case of mistreatment from the army in our area, it makes us confidence in you,” Godwin said.
He further thanked President Museveni for transforming the army from where he found it to where it is today and requested the army to extend more mobile medical services towards civilians for a healthy living.
“We enjoy soldiers like our sisters and brothers, the cooperation the president set between the “wanainchi” and the army is paramount. We can’t thank him enough, he added.
On the same event, the commanding officer of 29 Infantry Battalion based in Isingiro, Lt Col Lutaro Geofrey Rubakuba stressed that their coming in Mabona is symbolic to the longtime strategic partnership the army has got with the “wanaichi” and commemorates the role they played in the liberation struggles. “we are engaging our selves in sanitation and hygiene practices to send a message to the people of Mabona on how they can prevent certain diseases through good hygiene,” noted Col. Lutaro.
While receiving reflector jackets from UPDF, the Chairman of Mabona Boda Boda Stage Mzee John Marry was thankful to the army for having come out to help them in many ways. He noted that the reflector jackets recieved will be distributed amongst all Boda Boda riders in Mabona ward.
“The reflector jackets we have received will help us to easily be identified as qualified Boda Boda riders. They also deter us from likely accidents especially at night,” he explained.
This year’s 42nd Tarehe Sita theme is “Recognizing the sacrifice of the founders of the people’s revolution for social economic transformation”.
UPDF continues to run Tarehe Sita activities in Greater Mbarara until the climax on 6th February 2023 at Kakyeka stadium in Mbarara City.