Tarehe Sita explained

___________________

OPINION

By Dennis Katungi

Have you ever been asked about February 6, popularly known as Tarehe Sita? Wananchi tends to ask this question, more so, during Defence Forces Week which runs from the last week of January all through to February 6, each year. 

So, what is ‘Tarehe Sita’? 

Tarehe Sita has, since February 6, 1981, been set aside to celebrate the founding of a people’s army, initially the Popular Resistance that became National Resistance Army (NRA) and later on Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). 

It symbolises and recognises all efforts of the founding fathers of the people’s revolution for freedom and democracy in Uganda; as the building blocks of the historic mission of Socio-Economic Transformation. 

Every February 6, commencing in 1981, the army and the people of Uganda join hands during Defence Forces Week to engage in activities and celebrations aimed at cementing the strategic relationship that exists between the population and the defence forces.

A culture of remembrance ought to be entrenched to ensure that armed personnel never forget their base in the community; likewise, the people to be reminded of their patriotic duty to participate in the defense of the country as provided for under Article 17 [2] of the Constitution of Uganda.

The 44^th Tarehe Sita Anniversary, 2025 shall be celebrated in all units; however, the National celebrations shall be marked in Greater Masaka and Masaka City.  The climax of the Defence Forces week, on February 6, 2025, shall be marked in Kyotera District, Kakuto constituency, Kasasa Town Council Grounds. 

The choice of greater Masaka is consistent with the consideration made in the three previous anniversaries, to trace the footprints of the people’s struggle of freedom and democracy. This includes the contribution by the Kikosi Malumu/TPDF that played a pivotal role in the liberation of the country from the rule of Idi Amin. Similarly, there is consideration of the great Pan-Africanist Solidarity, which needs to be celebrated.

The role of the people of Tanzania, and particularly the unique contribution of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere will this time round be highlighted. It is for this reason that the 44^th Tarehe Sita Anniversary is celebrated under the Theme: “Celebrating Pan-African Solidarity and the people’s Sacrifice in the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy for Socio-Economic Transformation”.

In celebrating this year’s Tarehe Sita, we recall that on February 5, 1981, a group of gallant sons of Uganda, led by Gen. Yoweri Museveni, set out on a mission of launching a protracted people’s war.  Armed with only 27 guns, they trekked through Greater Masaka, with milestone events in Nyendo, Bukalasa in Kalungu district, through Sembabule until the dawn attack on Kabamba Barracks on February 6, 1981. 

This clearly demonstrates the importance of Masaka as a geographic area. It is worth noting that in the final phase of the armed struggle – 1985 -86 Masaka was the Launchpad of the decisive battles before the fall of Kampala. Suffice it to note that Kyotera/Mutukula through the Masaka axis was used by the Kikosi Malumu Front.  While FRONASA was in the greater Mbarara axis. 

So, the 1978/9 war that ousted Amin, Masaka was the gateway. Therefore, having national celebrations with the people of Kyotera District on Tarehe Sita is to recognise the sacrifice of both the Tanzanian brothers and sisters, alongside the Wananchi of the Mutukula – Kyotela axis.

These annual celebrations offer UPDF the opportunity to optimize civil-military cooperation [CIMIC] activities by way of giving back to the people and expressing eternal gratitude to the population for their continued support towards National Defence. 

Through the CIMIC advocacy, the UPDF plays a complementary role in all government efforts towards encouraging the people to embrace wealth creation and improvement of household incomes. 

Tarehe Sita's anniversary also provides the UPDF and Ministry of Defence with a platform to share milestones registered in their sector.  Notable ones are; pacifying the whole country by intensifying counter-terrorism operations focused on combating activities of ADF and Alshabaab and their regional and international affiliates. 

Maintaining a proactive posture with zonal and operational deployments to deal with such threats.  Conducting preventive and disruptive operations to deny terrorists cross-border infiltrations and freedom of action in the country as well as implementation of Presidential Executive Order No.3 on disarmament and related security measures in Karamoja aimed at curbing insecurity in the region.

It is important to note that all national borders are secure, save for the northern and western border lines which continue to experience spillover effects from activities of negative armed groups in Southern Sudan and Eastern DRC since July 2021; however, UPDF has trained and equipped counter-terrorism personnel to undertake counter-terrorism operations. The Force has also established a cyber security unit to detect, prevent and curtail acts of cyber-crime. 

The Ministry of Defence also partnered with the government of India and established a National Forensic Sciences University in Uganda.

The Fisheries Protection Operations have curtailed the practices of illegal fishing and smuggling of immature fish that were prevalent in Uganda, especially on L. Victoria and L. Albert. It is noteworthy that the Masaka region which used to be a hub for criminal groups such as the Bijambiya attackers which had brought considerable unrest was finally brought to order and calmness was restored in the region.

The Ministry of Defense and UPDF undertook continued capacity and capability building of UPDF through the acquisition of equipment and training to avert, counter and combat any prevalent military threats within and around the territorial boundaries of Uganda.

As of now, the UPDF has adequate capacity in terms of fire-power, deplorability, command and control and troop protection among others.

This capability cuts across defence weaponry and systems inclusive of Marines, Air Force, Armoured, Motorised Infantry and assets of Special Forces Command [SFC].  UPDF also established the National Defence College [NDC] – dedicated to providing advanced military education and strategic training to high-ranking military and civilian officials.

The UPDF has conducted mission training of personnel under Battle Groups and United Nations Guard Unit [UNGU] for mission deployment in Somalia and troops for deployment in Equatorial Guinea.

On recruitment, Article 208 [02] of the constitution of Uganda as amended remains instructive. UPDF recruits according to the district quotas based on the population of each district. Additionally, the UPDF has continued to improve the welfare of personnel through the provision of goods and services at subsidised prices.  These include construction materials as well as consumable goods through the Defense Forces Shop.

The UPDF is a productive Force with a fully-fledged Engineering Brigade as well as the National Enterprise Corporation. This has enabled the Force to undertake a number of MDA’s projects such as the rehabilitation of Mandela National Stadium, Health Infrastructural works for the Ministry of Health, Schools for the Ministry of Education as well as completing faculty buildings at a number of Universities across the country.

The Defence Forces Week and Tarehe Sita 2025 celebrations shall commemorate the UPDF at 44 years. It is worthwhile celebrating with the people of Greater Masaka and Ugandans at large in recognition of the sacrifices made to consolidate the current peace, security and stability. It is indeed remarkable that greater Masaka provided the gateway to FRONASA, Kikosi Maalum/TPDF, NRA during the people’s armed resistance and as such, it is a befitting gesture that the area hosts Tarehe Sita 2025.

The writer is the AG Deputy Executive Director – Uganda Media Centre

@Dennis_Katungi