📸 Tarehe Sita 45th anniversary celebrations launched in Kampala

KAMPALA - The Minister of State for Defence and Veterans’ Affairs, Huda Abason Oleru, together with top management of the Ministry of Defence and Veterans’ Affairs (MoDVA) and senior military officers, has launched the national and pre-Tarehe Sita activities marking the 45th anniversary of the event.

Tarehe Sita, commemorated annually on February 6, is a symbolic day celebrating the birth of the national army, the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF).

Former Prime Minister John Patrick Amama Mbabazi served as chief guest at the launch on Tuesday (November 18) hosted at the MoDVA headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala.

The guest of honor, Rt. Hon Patrick Amama Mbabazi cut a ribbon as he launched the national and pre-Tarehe Sita activities marking the 45th anniversary of the event. (All Photos by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

Former Prime Minister John Patrick Amama Mbabazi served as chief guest at the launch on Tuesday (November 18) hosted at the MoDVA headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala.

This year’s celebrations will be held under the theme: “Defending the gains of revolution and honouring the sacrifices of the freedom fighters: A call for National Unity, Peace and Socio-Economic Transformation.”

The national events will be hosted in the Kigezi subregion.

Preparatory activities in Kigezi began on November 11, 2025, with MoDVA meeting leaders from the region. The sub-region comprises the districts of Kabale, Kisoro, Rukungiri, Rukiga, Rubanda and Kanungu.

Vision Group CEO Don Wanyama remarks during the event.

Vision Group Senior Producer News & Current Affairs Hellen Mukiibi hands over text books to Brig.Gen. Michael Kibuye, also the director Civil Military Cooperation.

Tarehe Sita serves as a tribute to the efforts of the founding members of the NRA/UPDF, who advanced a people-led revolution aimed at achieving freedom and democracy as the foundation for socio-economic transformation.

Dignitaries at the launch in Mbuya included cabinet ministers Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala (Works and Transport), Gen. David Muhoozi (State Internal Affairs) and David Bahati (State Trade and Industry).

Senior UPDF officers, both serving and retired, were led by the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces (DCDF), Lt Gen. Samuel Okiding.

Tarehe Sita, commemorated annually on February 6, is a symbolic day celebrating the birth of the national army, the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF).

Senior UPDF officers, both serving and retired, were led by the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces (DCDF), Lt Gen. Samuel Okiding.

Commissioner General Dr Byabashaija represented Uganda Prisons.

The event also attracted corporate organisations, including the New Vision Printing and Publishing Corporation Ltd, led by its CEO, Don Wanyama.

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Here is a picture highlight from the function as captured by Vision Group's Mpalanyi Ssentongo;

The Minister of State for Defence and Veterans’ Affairs, Huda Abason Oleru, remarks during the function.

Dr. Ezra Suruma delivering the keynote address

Deputy Inspector General of Police Joseph Ocaya (left) talking to former IGP Kale Kayihura.