Several people in Lira, Abim, Agago, and Pader districts appreciated the UPDF’s leadership under the 5th Division for cleaning places like the bus park, hospital, and streets as they celebrated Tarehe Sita.
Deputy 5th Division Commander, Col. David Opeero, while addressing the media from Mayor’s Garden in Lira City, said a good number of disciplined UPDF soldiers participated, including himself, in cleaning the bus park, Lira Regional Referral Hospital, and Lira Main Market within Lira City on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, demonstrating solidarity and commitment to keeping the city clean.
“We are here in Lira and other areas under the 5th Division’s responsibility, conducting our cleanliness drive in Lira District, Lira City, Patongo, Kalongo, and Pader Town Council. Others are in Kitgum and Abim districts,” according to Col. David Opeero.
He added that one of the achievements is the political stability where democracy has been restored, with elections conducted every five years. Our society has a secure environment where peaceful life prevails.
Captain Edwin Mawanda, the Public Information Officer at the 5th Division, said that the 44th celebration of Tarehe Sita is a unifying factor between the wananchi and the UPDF. Capt. Mawanda explained that the reason for the cleaning was to give back to the people and to remember when H.E. the President of the Republic of Uganda joined the struggle.
On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, the 5th Division Commander, Acting Maj. Gen. Keith Katungi, was in Lira City supervising the cleaning of areas like Lira Regional Referral Hospital and other locations.
Meanwhile, Col. Opeero David told the media that the five-year war brought Uganda to another level of success because people are now able to embrace technology, including the internet, adding, “Remember, soon we shall be launching the standard gauge railway.”
The activities by the UPDF, under the command of Deputy 5th Division Commander Col. David, were held in the districts of Lira, Lira City, Patongo town in Agago District, Abim District, Kitgum, and Pader District, with various activities lined up to honor the day.
This year’s 44th Tarehe Sita Anniversary celebrations took place in the Greater Masaka region, where H.E. the President of the Republic of Uganda was the chief guest. The celebrations were held on Thursday under the theme, “Celebrating Pan-African Solidarity and the Peoples’ Sacrifice in the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy for Socio-economic Transformation.”
Speaking to the media from Lira Main Market, PRO Capt. Mawanda expressed gratitude to the people of Kitgum, Abim, Lira, Pader, and Agago for their strategic partnership with the UPDF. “I want to congratulate the leaders of Lira City so much for cooperating with us during the exercise,” said Mawanda.
Santa Akello, a produce seller in Lira, commended the UPDF for such wonderful work that has made the market’s hygiene conducive for their customers.
The wananchi in Lira City joined the UPDF 5th Division as they prepared to celebrate the 44th Tarehe Sita, the date when the NRA/NRM launched the liberation struggle to liberate Uganda in 1981.
