President Museveni has today thanked FRONASA veterans /UPDF for their active participation towards the success of the liberation struggle.
President Museveni said this as the Chief Guest at the 12th Annual Tarehe Sita thanksgiving Prayer Breakfast at Kololo ceremonial grounds.“I thank FRONASA/UPDF for liberating the country. UPDF is now a new family that gathers all tribes and I pray it continues,” remarked the President.He added that God is everywhere and there is a force above us which makes us do things, noting that the allegiance to God is what made the revolution succeed.
President Museveni encouraged today’s troops to serve beyond self and attach little attention to pay and welfare, noting that past armies worked for almost nothing, but they succeeded in the struggle.He therefore encouraged them to utilize the available income generating activities like the formation of saccos, enrollment of soldier’s children in army schools to get free education; to improve their quality of life and welfare.“ Involve free education for soldier’s biological children,” President Museveni told soldiers.
He concluded by noting that God has been behind the success of FRONASA /UPDF in the social economic transformation of the country.
The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs Hon Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja thanked comrades for their commitment towards making the breakfast occasion a success right from its inception to the launches and commissioning of our symbolic projects at regional and district levels in greater Mbarara region where the 42nd Tarehe Sita celebrations were successfully hosted.“ This year’s thanksgiving is in honor of our founding FRONASA Military Veterans led by non-other than you, your Excellency the President and you nucleus team of the “28+1” as we commonly refer to them,” noted Hon Ssempijja.
Hon Ssempijja said that their daring sacrifice was a springboard to the liberation struggle and revolution that finally ushered in the peace and social economic transformation that we are witnessing in our country today. He further promised FRONASA veterans that the Ministry is domiciling both their welfare and their families as earlier guided by the President.Hon Ssempijja also urged soldiers to embrace government projects like Parish Development Model, Women Fund, Youth Livelihood and Emyooga for the children / youth; among others.Speaking at the same function the Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs thanked the FRONASA family for accepting today’s invitation.She said that the thanksgiving breakfast is the apex of the annual Tarehe Sita anniversary.“ It is a platform that showcases landmark achievements of the UPDF in the delivery of peace, security and economic transformation throughout the country anchored in a strong partnership with God and the people of Uganda,” she noted.She added that this year’s celebrations is a distinguished service to our FRONASA veterans, who laid the foundation for the liberation struggle and put their lives on the line for security, peace and prosperity of our country, with the President at the helm of it.
The Chief of Defence Forces Gen Wilson Mbadi noted that what began as an impossible mission is now a call to reality because it has achieved a lot by both effort and faith.“ UPDF will aways be thankful to the Lord for its success since life without thanking is devoid of love.” He said.According to Gen Mbadi, every year UPDF forces on a special category like today’s FRONASA family which remains an embodiment of true sacrifice, intensive mobilization without pain, patriotism, charisma, velocity and steadfast.“ No wonder UPDF was born from the above factory,” said Gen Mbadi. Gen Mbadi remarked that FRONASA/UPDF is a candle for the whole house to see since its built on past sacrifice and professionalism. He urged troops to maintain capacity and capability to ensure an efficient, effective, and professional force.“ A soldier with moral increases his efficiency and his effectiveness.” Gen Mbadi concluded.
The Rt Rev Bishop Dr. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa of Ankole Diocese who was the guest noted that UPDF is not only a fighting army but preaches social economic transformation.
Today’s first reading in the Old Testament was taken by Yvonne Koreta from Isaiah 60: 1-22. While the second reading was from the New Testament and read by Israel Michael Bossa from John 15: 1-17. They all resonated on the theme “ Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13Today’s Tarehe Sita Thanksgiving breakfast was also attended by the First lady and Hon Minister of Education and Sports Mrs. Janet Kataha Museveni, FRONASA Family, Minsters, Members of Parliament, Members of the diplomatic corps, Service Chiefs of Sister Organizations and UPDF General and Senior Officers, among others.