Museveni praises army for discipline

Buhweju- President Museveni has hailed the UPDF as a disciplined and patriotic army.

Speaking at the 33rd army day known as Tarehe Sita at Katara Primary School, Karungu Sub-county in Buhweju District yesterday, the President said the army had benefited the population because of discipline and correct ideology inculcated from its infancy.

“I want to thank the army for being exemplary. This is because of discipline, ideology and organisation. If the army does not have these three, it can’t be beneficial to the people,” Mr Museveni said.

He said they have been able to build a patriotic army because they never tolerated indiscipline, especially killing civilians.

“The ideology must be correct because you can have the ideology of raping women, what type of army is that? That is betrayal...” Mr Museveni said.
Buhweju was one of the training grounds for NRA combatants during the five-year bush war that ushered Mr Museveni to presidency 28 years ago.

Nsiika Town Council and Bisya Primary School where the President commissioned an epitaph in remembrance of fallen heroes in the area yesterday were also training grounds.

Mr Museveni said while lack of infrastructure such as electricity and roads had slowed down the country’s economic progress, the services have improved.

Although he noted that lack of enough factories had also hindered economic progress, the President urged farmers in the rural areas to grow both food and commercial crops like coffee, tea, fruits and apples.

The President also said the country is endowed with vast quantities of oil and gas, wolfram, tin, aluminum, gold limestone, among other minerals which can be coupled with commercial farming for the regional market.

“However, we must have more entrepreneurs because something cannot get itself out of soil. All farmers must go commercial in addition to subsistence,” Mr Museveni said.

The President promised that Gen Saleh and Brig Proscovia Nalweyiso’s group would extend their agricultural services to civilians after helping army veterans to set up agricultural enterprises.

On Naads, the head of State said the programme had been disbanded because officials had become “suckers”.

“Shs150 billion a year is a lot of money. Such money they have been getting as salaries will cater for seeds,” Mr Museveni said.

The Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen Katumba Wamala, also commended the army, saying its discipline was unequaled on the territory of Uganda since independence.

Lt Gen Wamala said the army had secured the country as well as the region. He warned that any rebel group that may emerge to destabilise the population would suffer the fate the other 26 insurgent groups that tried the government suffered.

“Although we have some challenges like ADF in DR Congo and LRA in Central Africa, they will be wiped out. There is no doubt about that,” Gen Wamala said.
He pledged that the values UPDF has cherished over the three decades will remain protected.

List of medalists at Tarehe Sita celebrations

Golden Jubilee medalists
Col James Burungi
Col Godwin Karugaba
Col James Bekunda
Col Richard Otto
Col Stephen Othieno
Brig John Mugyenyi
Lt Col David Lukanga
Lt Col James Wamala
Lt Col Grace Agaba
Lt Col Moses Kiwanuka
Lt Col James Lwasi
Lt. Col Andrew Hannington
Lt Col Joram Kagyenzi
Lt. Col. Jafali Kasirivu
Lt Col Juma Bukenya
Lt Col Godfrey Kiryoowa
Lt Col Moses Kibirango
Lt Col Sam Bishuba
Lt Col John Byuuma
Lt Col Godrey Lukanga
Lt Col John Kibarama
Lt Col Bahoku Barigye
Lt Col Brian Kambere
Maj. Francis Ssekyayi
Maj Hannington Kiggundu
Maj Kiiza Ssemakula
Maj Geofrey Biziibu
Maj Basil Bantuki
Maj Peter Kayaya
Maj Stephen Sambwa
Maj Rodger Jjingo
Maj Nathan Mugizi

Luwero Triangle medalists
Late Maj. Herbert Nyanzi
Maj Joseph Kooma
Maj Rutaraaka Biretwa
Capt Paddy Nyabihemu
Lt Ronald Magezi
WO1 Benon Katusiime
WO1 Anywar Evalisto
WOII Ismail kiryopa
St Opio Ambrose
St Cliff Asiimwe Nyabihemu (Late)
St Nathan Ngazaire
Late Rutanyohoka Tumukunde

Some of the Nalubale medalists
Ephraim Biraaro
Late Dan Kigozi
Chris Kafura
Late Deus Bikwatizehi
Sabastian Kerere
Daudi Ndibarema
Perez Kanyamunyu
Late Tadeo kururagire
Late Savino Karyabahwa
Joseph Byanyima
Francis Bwengye
Emmanuel Kiiza
Late Xavier Kabwisho
Josephat Bigirwa
Tarsis Katesigwa
Absolom Begira
Late Mzee Kafamaisho
Dan Tamwesigire
John Ndyabagye
Abel Katembwe
Jonathan Tumwesigye
Rubakuuba
Edgar Tibihika
Gideon Birakwate
Evarist Bakeija
Phabian Katagira
Simon Kahunda
Anthony Bagarukayo
Joseph Mpakaryari
Joy Kanyankole
Philip Tibanyendera
Charles Turyareeba
Byente Mbatiina
Callistus Turyareeba
Alfred Nyandere
Aroziyo Kabaruho
Lazaro Rwabigundu
Josephat Bikandema
Simon Bikandema
Late Andrew Bamuturaki
David Byanyima
Augustine Binshangire
Apurinari Kibuye
Deogratious Kahangire
Late Matia Lwanga
Innocent Rugyeyo
Protazio Tiguruhwayo
John Neeza
Emmanuel Kashaija
Yosam Karokora
Ham Nshambagana
Xavier Bantariza
Late Joy Kariisa Arinaitwe

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