Lt Gen Mubarakh Muganga(right) attends “Tarehe Sita” Celebrations
The Rwanda Defence Force(RDF) Army Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Mubarakh Muganga, yesterday joined Ugandans in marking this year’s “Tarehe Sita” celebrations.
Lieutenant General Mubarakh Muganga’s entourage included the RDF Spokesperson Brigadier General Ronald Rwivanga, and Deputy Head of Defence Intelligence, Colonel Regis Gatarayiha. The 42nd “Tarehe Sita” Celebrations took place in Mbarara Town, Western Region of Uganda.
Tarehe Sita, a Kiswahili word meaning the sixth day, commemorates February 6, 1981 when the five-year guerrilla war that brought President Museveni to power was launched, with an attack on Kabamba Military Barracks.
This year’s main celebrations took place at Kakyeka Stadium in Mbarara under the theme “Recognising the sacrifice of the founders of the people’s revolution for socio economic transformation”.
Held every February 6, “Tarehe Sita” commemorates the day when the then rebel National Resistance Army (NRA) launched their liberation struggle.
The NRA fighters who included Rwandans like the late Fred Rwigyema and President Paul Kagame in their ranks, made the first attack on then Ugandan President Milton Obote’s soldiers at Kabamba Barracks on February 6, 1981.
They attacked Kabamba military barracks with 27 guns under the leadership of current President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The NRA ultimately captured power in 1986 and the Army, now UPDF, has been marking these celebrations for the last 42 years. (End)