In a powerful display of civil-military cooperation, the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), in partnership with the Uganda Police Force and Uganda Prisons Service, conducted a large-scale community clean-up exercise across Entebbe Municipality.
The initiative is part of the ongoing activities leading up to the 45th Tarehe Sita anniversary celebrations, a day that commemorates the birth of the National Resistance Army (NRA).
Strengthening the Bond: UPDF Gives Back to Entebbe
Led by senior officers from the Special Forces Command (SFC) and other security agencies, the exercise targeted key public spaces, including Entebbe General Hospital, Kitoro Market, Abaita Ababiri, and various landing sites.
The soldiers, moving beyond their traditional role of national defense, took up brooms, slashers, and spades to clear drainage systems, collect garbage, and improve the general hygiene of the lakeside town.
Promoting Public Health and Sanitation
The clean-up exercise aims to sensitize residents on the importance of maintaining a clean environment to prevent the outbreak of diseases like cholera and malaria.
Speaking during the exercise, security officials emphasized that the “pro-people” nature of the UPDF is best demonstrated through such community engagements.
“We came from the people, and we are here to serve the people. This exercise is a testament to the strong bond between the armed forces and the civilians,” noted one of the project coordinators.
Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Activities
The Entebbe clean-up is just one of many Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities happening across Uganda. Ahead of the main Tarehe Sita celebrations, the UPDF has also been involved in:
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Free Medical Outreaches: Providing dental, eye care, and general check-ups.
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Engineering Projects: Renovating schools and health centers.
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Environmental Conservation: Tree planting and waste management sensitization.
Local Leaders and Residents Applaud the Move
Local leaders in Entebbe praised the security forces for their discipline and commitment to public service. Residents joined in the exercise, noting that the presence of the forces inspired a sense of shared responsibility for the town’s cleanliness.
About Tarehe Sita
Tarehe Sita is celebrated annually on February 6th to mark the 1981 attack on Kabamba Barracks, which launched the liberation struggle. Every year, the UPDF spends the week preceding the event engaging in community service to honor the sacrifice of the freedom fighters and solidify their relationship with the Ugandan population.
