Africa-Press – Uganda. POLITICS
The Minister of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries, Vincent Ssempijja, has warned communities in Kalungu district to desist from promoting sectarian politics and instead focus on development issues by using the peace and stability brought about by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF
).
Launching the Army Week of civil-military activities at Kalungu district headquarters on Monday the minister said the UPDF is an army from and for the people and, therefore, should be rewarded by the people for its efforts to protect life and property.
He said this should be done by preserving the existing peace and stability that came through sweat and blood during the earlier liberation struggle that also affected some areas in Kalungu.
The civil military activities are part of the many events to celebrate this year’s Terehe Sita anniversary, under the theme: Celebrating UPDF at 40: Fruits of a fulfilled partnership of maintaining and consolidating people’s security, stability and prosperity. The chief of civil military activities in the UPDF, Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Rwashande, on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. David Muhoozi, said the army picks its existence and success from its relationship with the people.
“The UPDF civil engineering team will construct a classroom block at Kiti Cope Primary School in Bukulula subcounty, several medical camps around the district are going on. They will also re-roof and repaint facilities at Kalungu Health Centre IV. “It is important to thank the people from Greater Masaka, Kalungu inclusive, for their positive historical support during the liberation of Uganda,” Brig. Gen. Rwashande added.
Targeted area include Masaka, Bukomansimbi, Kalungu, Lwengo, Kalangala and Masaka city. Other activities have also been organised in Kampala metropolitan area, covering Kampala, Wakiso, Entebbe municipality, Mukono and Kayunga. The Kalungu Residents District Commissioner, Pastor Caleb Tukaikiriza, and his deputy, Hajjat Sarah Nanyanzi, commended the UPDF for its discipline and teamwork, which they said had enabled the sustainability of peace for the development.
President Yoweri Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, will kick-start this year’s 40th Tarehe Sita celebrations in greater Masaka and Kampala metropolitan area with the launch of a museum at River Katonga in Mpigi district. Last week, he laid the foundation stone for the construction of the military museum in remembrance of the 1985/86 Katonga battles and other confrontations between the National Resistance Army rebels and the Tito Okello government forces.
