Residents of Fort Portal City, Kabarole District, joined the rest of the country today in celebrating Tarehe Sita, a day marking the birth of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF). The celebrations, held at Buhinga Stadium, were attended by government officials, security personnel, and the local community.
The Resident City Commissioner (RCC) of Fort Portal, Mr. Stanley Bayole commended the President and UPDF for their tireless sacrifices in ensuring Uganda’s security and development.
He urged the youth to take advantage of the peace and stability brought by the National Resistance Movement and the UPDF to improve their livelihoods through government programs such as Emyooga, the Parish Development Model, and the Four-Acre Model Farming Initiative.
Speaking at the event, Colonel Paul Muwonge, the Deputy Commander of the Mountain Division, thanked President Museveni for shaping the UPDF into a professional and pro-people army.
“We are not here because of ourselves; we are here because of you,” Col. Muwonge said.
He reminded attendees of the historical significance of Tarehe Sita, which began in 1981 when 41 revolutionary fighters, including 27 armed combatants led by President Museveni, launched the struggle against oppressive regimes.
“Tarehe Sita shaped who we are today. The Mountain Division plays a vital role in the UPDF’s operations in the Rwenzori region and Eastern DRC. Our Pan-African ideology extends beyond our borders, which is why the UPDF also operates in Somalia, South Sudan, and the DRC, among other places,” said Col Muwonge.
The celebrations concluded with a friendly football match between the UPDF and the Uganda Police Force (UPF), where the UPDF emerged victorious with a 3-0 win.
The event was attended by several Fort Portal City leaders, including Deputy Mayor Madam Mujungu Betty, Deputy RCC Mr. Emmanuel Businge, senior and junior army officers, students from Mountain of the Moon University, and local leaders.
