His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda and Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces unveiled a monument that was constructed by the UPDF in Rushere Town Council Kiruhura district in recognition of his sacrifice since 1966 towards causing socio-economic transformation of the people of Ankole.
President Museveni commended the idea of the monument which he said would be educative for the young people.
The President added that the dairy industry has played a fundamental role in the transformation of the cattle corridor. “The whole cattle corridor has shifted from the beef industry to the dairy industry because the milk you sell daily and get daily income.”
H.E Museveni challenged leaders to adopt the Zonal Model of practising agriculture as a means of consolidating and transforming the rural areas in Uganda.
In his remarks, the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja said that the peace experienced during the festival season is a testament to the solid National security foundation laid by the National Resistance Movement Government and in particular His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda. “No doubt Your Excellency, as the defence and security fraternity, we fully appreciate you our President and Commander-in-Chief as the strategic pillar of our national security and socio-economic transformation,” said Hon. Ssempijja.
Hon. Ssempijja added that the monument which was constructed by the UPDF Engineers Brigade is a recognition of the sacrifice and tireless efforts of H.E Yoweri Museveni in spearheading the socio-economic transformation of the people of Ankole then and now spreading to other parts of the country. “It is a captivating life-changing story of how a paradigm shift from traditional pastoral lifestyle to modern integrated farming methods turned around the economic outlook of households in this region (Ankole) and has since been emulated by many cattle farmers in the cattle corridor,”
The Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu said the UPDF is committed to fulfilling its mandate of ensuring peace, stability and security for the socio-economic transformation of Uganda and Africa at large.
The Joint Chief of Staff, Major General Leopold Kyanda said that before the celebration of the Tarehe Sita Anniversary, the defence organising committee proposed the monument for future reference.
Present at the function were; Retired Generals, Generals and Senior Officers, Senior Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Officials, and area Members of Parliament among others.
