The Greater Masaka region will host the 44th Tarehe Sita Anniversary celebrations in 2025, according to Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs Jacob Oboth-Oboth.
He stated that the anniversary provides yet another opportunity for the government and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) to give back to the community.
The theme for the celebrations will be “Celebrating Pan-African Solidarity and the Peoples’ Sacrifice in the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy for Socioeconomic Transformation.”
Speaking at a consultative meeting with regional MPs on Thursday at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Headquarters in Mbuya, Oboth-Oboth thanked the Masaka people for their strategic partnership with the UPDF.
“I want to congratulate the people of Greater Masaka for being so lucky to be chosen for this year’s celebration. You may not know how many requests this ministry receives every year.
“It takes the effort of the Ministry and the Army together to give back to the community. And the greater Masaka has been picked,” he added.
Minister Oboth emphasized that Tarehe Sita, which marks the beginning of the National Resistance Army’s (NRA) liberation struggle on February 6, 1981, is a one-of-a-kind celebration.
“It is the only government initiative that gives back without formalities, involving itself in tangible projects that people can see, however small,” he noted.
Theodore Ssekikubo, MP for Lwemiyaga County, expressed his pride in the Masaka sub-region’s celebrations.
“We are lucky that this year’s celebrations are taking place in the Masaka sub-region. We are proud to be associated with the 6th of February, the launch of the liberation of our country, Uganda,” he said.
Ssekikubo applauded the UPDF’s pre-celebration activities in the region, which include the construction of school structures and the organization of free medical services.
“This makes it most relevant when people benefit directly from the UPDF and share in the achievements of the liberation of this country,” he added.
Maj Gen Jack Bakasumba, Chief of Joint Staff, emphasised the historical significance of the Tarehe Sita celebrations, noting that they have represented the army’s partnership with the Ugandan people since 1981.
“Every February 6, commencing from 1981, the army and the people of Uganda join hands during the Defense Forces Week to engage in activities aimed at cementing the strategic relationship that exists between the population and the defence forces.”
He also highlighted Masaka’s pivotal role in Uganda’s history, stating, “In the final phase of the armed struggle (1985-1986), Masaka was the launch pad of the decisive battles before the fall of Kampala.”
Maj Gen Bakasumba stressed the importance of remembering Ugandan sacrifices and Tanzania’s contribution to the liberation struggle.
The activities will take place in the districts of Bukomansimbi, Kalangala, Kalungu, Kyotera, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Masaka, Masaka City, Rakai, and Sembabule, culminating in Kyotera district on February 6, 2025, with a variety of activities planned to commemorate the occasion.
The event, which rotates between regions, has previously taken place in the Busoga and Mbarara sub-regions.
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