The Greater Masaka region will host the 44th Tarehe Sita Anniversary, Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Jacob Oboth-Oboth, announced. The event, under the theme “Celebrating Pan-African Solidarity and the People’s Sacrifice in the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy for Socio-economic Transformation,” is scheduled to take place in Kyotera District on February 6, 2025.
In addition to Kyotera, celebrations will also be held across several districts in the Greater Masaka region, including Bukomansimbi, Kalangala, Kalungu, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Masaka, Masaka City, Rakai, and Sembabule.
During a consultative meeting with Members of Parliament from the region at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Headquarters in Mbuya, Oboth-Oboth expressed his gratitude to the people of Masaka for their longstanding partnership with the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
“I want to congratulate the people of Greater Masaka for being chosen to host this year’s celebration. You may not realize how many requests we receive every year for such an honor. It is through the collective efforts of the Ministry and the UPDF that we are able to give back to the community. And this year, Greater Masaka has been selected,”said Oboth-Oboth.
He emphasized that Tarehe Sita, which marks the launch of the National Resistance Army’s (NRA) liberation struggle on February 6, 1981, is a unique and special occasion. “It is the only government initiative that gives back to the community without formalities, through tangible projects that people can see and feel, no matter how small,” he noted.
Theodore Ssekikubo, the Member of Parliament for Lwemiyaga County, also expressed pride in the region hosting the celebrations.“We are fortunate that this year’s celebrations are taking place in the Masaka sub-region. We take pride in being part of the 6th of February, the day the liberation of Uganda began,”he said.
Ssekikubo commended the UPDF for their pre-celebration activities in the region, including the construction of school buildings and the provision of free medical services.“These initiatives make the celebration more meaningful as people directly benefit from the UPDF’s efforts and share in the achievements of our country’s liberation,”he added.
The Chief of Joint Staff, Maj Gen Jack Bakasumba, underscored the historical significance of the Tarehe Sita celebrations. He noted that since 1981, the event has symbolized the strong partnership between the army and the people of Uganda.“Every February 6, starting from 1981, the army and the people of Uganda join hands during Defence Forces Week to engage in activities that strengthen the strategic relationship between the population and the defense forces,”Maj Gen Bakasumba said.
He also highlighted Masaka’s pivotal role in Uganda’s liberation history, stating,“In the final phase of the armed struggle (1985-1986), Masaka was the launch pad for the decisive battles that led to the fall of Kampala.”Maj Gen Bakasumba further emphasized the importance of remembering the sacrifices made by Ugandans and Tanzania’s contribution to the liberation struggle.
