By Frank Kamuntu
Kampala: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who is also the commander In Chief of the UPDF while breaking ground for the construction of Uganda National Military Museum ahead of 2021 Tarehe Sita Celebrations ordered UPDF to recognize some of its foreign hero’s and Pan Africanists including late Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi, Julius Kambarage Nyerere and Samora Moisés Machel by adding their portraits at the Museum site.
The President made the remarks shortly after laying a foundation stone for the construction of the Uganda National Military Museum at Katonga on the outskirts of Masaka city as part of the activities to mark the 40th anniversary of Tarehesita before commending UPDF and the Directorate of Doctrines for the idea of constructing a military museum.
“I want to thank the UPDF and the Directorate of Doctrines for finally seeing the obvious which is the history of NRA/NRM because it is unique and special. The Museum is a good idea and Katonga a better location for its business proposition,” President Museveni said.
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This year celebrations will run under the theme; “Celebrating UPDF at 40; fruits of the fulfilled partnership of maintaining and consolidating the people’s security, stability and prosperity”
The President revealed that most of the wars especially in Africa had somebody backing them like foreign backers, unlike the NRM which was supported and backed by the local people.
“Here, it is our people who backed us, so its good to capture the history of this struggle. Thank you for coming up to build this Museum,” President Museveni said.
President Museveni said that if one follows the NRA/NRM line of caring for the people, they will not fail in leadership.
The President warned local leaders against overtaxing the ordinary people saying they should at least pay annual license but not a monthly tax.
“Never take a thread or even a needle from poor people without paying. That’s what made us successful,” he said.
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The Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Adolf Mwesigye said that Ugandans have all the reasons to celebrate with the UPDF for the 40 years of securing Uganda’s future and consolidating the total peace and stability in the country.
He commended the President for building the capacity of the UPDF for the last 40 years.
“Thank you for building the capacity of our force. This is a fundamental achievement,” Minister Adolf Mwesigye said.
The Chief of Defense Forces Gen. David Muhoozi thanked the President for sparing time out of his busy campaign schedule to launch the Defense unity activities marking the 40th anniversary of Tarehe Sita.
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The CDF said that as the force celebrates Tarehe Sita, they also celebrate all those who contributed to the struggle. He revealed that this year’s celebrations will take place in Greater Masaka. The commander Directorate of Doctrines Lt. Gen. Pecos Kuteesa revealed that the construction of Uganda National Military Museum at Katonga will cost 110 billion and is projected to take 4 years.
“Katonga has many memories for me, the goal of the museum is to preserve and conserve the History of Uganda Military,” Lt. Gen. Pecos Kuteesa said.
