The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs Hon Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja has today flagged off the 42nd Tarehe Sita marathon at Boma Grounds in Mbarara City.
The 5km – marathon was held in recognition of the sacrifices made by the fouders of the Peoples’ Revolution for social economic transformation.
Speaking after the run, Hon Ssempijja who was also the Chief Runner, commended people from Greater Mbarara sub region for loving the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) by participating in the event. He reminded them that UPDF is a Peoples’ Army.
“UPDF is a Peoples’ Army and therefore diffeent from past armies which were not pro-people,” he said.
He added that Mbarara sub region who chosen to host the 42 Tarehe Sita Anniversary celebrations because it has a different history, where the revolution of liberation started.
“We are here to celebrate the sons and daughters who joined the revolutionary leader, President Museveni to start the revolution, that has transformed cities like Mbarara and made them beautiful with numerous facilities,” he remarked.
Ssempijja cautioned people to keep fit, further noting that fitness is first on the agenda to be recruited in the UPDF.
The UPDF Chief Political Commissar Maj Gen Henry Masiko noted that the presence of civilians at the marathon shows their unwavering support to the UPDF.
Brig Gen Wilson Muhanguzi, the Chief of Education Sports and Culture in the UPDF, called upon participants at the marathon to keep fit in order to minimize the cost of treatment and avoid getting Non Communicable Diseases like diabetes and High Blood Pressure.
“If we keep fit, we reduce the cost on treatment and thus can channel resources to development,” he elaborated.
The Resident City Commissioner for Mbarara City Lt Col (Rtd) Fred Mwesigye lauded liberators for sustaining the revolution.
The Mayor of Mbarara City Robert Kakyebezi glorified UPDF for ensuring their proximity to the populace.
The main sponsors of the marathon, Stanbic Bank, who were represented by the relationship manager of Stanbic Bank in the armed forces mentioned that development without security is a myth.
Today’s Tarehe Sita marathon in Mbarara City was won by Akampa Seth (13:49),followed by Ainebyona Edgar (14:59) in the Mens category. While Byabagambi Sharifa (22:17) and Kyokunda Princess (25:19) won gold and silver in the women’s category.
The symbolic marathon is part of the civil military activities to mark the 42 Tarehe Sita and Defence Forces Week activities running under the theme “Recognizing the sacrifices of the founders of the Peoples’ Revolution for Social Economic Transformation.”
Participants included: UPDF personnel, Uganda Police Force, youth leaders in the sub region, locals of Mbarara City, and representatives from UPDF partners, among others