President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commended the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and other security agencies for maintaining stability during the recent general elections.
“I want to salute the UPDF and other security forces for the robust security they gave during the recent elections. They did a very good job,” he said.
The President, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, made the remarks on Thursday while presiding over the 45th Tarehe Sita anniversary at the NTC grounds in Kabale Municipality. He was accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni.
The commemoration ran under the theme, “Defending the Gains of the Revolution and Honouring the Sacrifices of the Freedom Fighters: A Call for National Unity, Peace and Socio-Economic Transformation.”
Tarehe Sita marks February 6, 1981, when the National Resistance Army launched the liberation struggle with the attack on Kabamba barracks.
President Museveni said some groups had planned to disrupt the electoral process but security forces acted swiftly.
“I salute the UPDF for quickly neutralising those trouble makers,” he said.
He thanked Ugandans, especially voters in Kigezi, for supporting the NRM.
“I want to thank and congratulate the people of Uganda for the recent elections which we had. I thank you the people of Kigezi and Uganda at large for voting massively for the NRM,” he said.
The President urged citizens to understand the history of the liberation struggle in a continuous way, noting that earlier efforts laid the groundwork for Tarehe Sita.
“When you talk of Tarehe Sita, you should not forget that there were earlier struggles before that which actually fed Tarehe Sita,” he said.
On the economy, President Museveni said Uganda is progressing from lower middle-income status and aims to reach a higher level within years.
“The economy of Uganda is growing very fast. We are now a lower middle-income country, but we target to become a high middle-income country in a few years and we have the capability,” he said.
He said Kigezi’s growth will depend on tourism, commercial agriculture and manufacturing.
The President confirmed the expansion of Kisoro Airport and plans for another international airport in Kigezi to support tourism, as well as a major facility in Mbarara City to serve trade and business.
He also called for urgent land acquisition in Rubanda District to pave way for a large iron ore processing plant.
The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Jacob Oboth-Oboth, congratulated the President on his re-election.
The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, pledged the army’s loyalty to the Head of State.
“We shall support you as you continue to uplift the people of Uganda to the upper middle-income status and as you continue to sustain the socio-economic transformation journey and achieve strategic security for the people of East Africa and the continent,” Gen. Muhoozi said.
He said the ideals of unity and transformation remain central to the revolution.
“The responsibility now lies in all Ugandans to make sure that the gains of the revolution are secured and further built upon,” he noted.
Gen. Muhoozi said the country remains calm.
“Contrary to the threats that were peddled by some hostile actors in the lead up to the elections, the country has had the most peaceful and decisive elections since 1996,” he said.
Maj. Gen. Henry Masiko, the UPDF Joint Staff Political Commissariat, said the anniversary activities had been planned in phases to fit within the electoral calendar.
At the ceremony, several senior officers received medals in recognition of their service during the liberation struggle and national development.
Lt. Moses Odongo won the inaugural CDF award for the outstanding junior officer for 2025 and received Shs10 million and a certificate.
The event drew senior government officials, including the Vice President, H.E Jessica Alupo, the Chief Justice, His Lordship Flavian Zeija, the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, the 3rd Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon. Lukia Nakadama, ministers and visiting military delegations.
