The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence Brig Gen Rugumayo Abdul has warned Ugandans not to take the country’s 40 years of uninterrupted peace for granted, saying carelessness could put national security and peace to an end.
“As I relate to this year’s theme, “Protecting the Gains of the Revolution’, we are trying very much to ensure the security. The government has remained uninterrupted for about 40 years. We want people to know that it shouldn’t play around with it, it might run out of their hands at any time if we are not careful here in the country,” he said.
Brig Gen Rugumayo made the remarks while addressing the media at the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) Headquarters in Mbuya on Thursday, where officials from the Office of the President, UPDF, Uganda Prisons Service, and Uganda Police Force joined Corporate Social Responsibility activities as part of the 45th Tarehe Sita 2026 celebrations.
Brig Gen Rugumayo warned that if people are not careful, the peace may be lost, citing the example of instability in Congo, which has pushed over 600,000 refugees into Uganda.
“Look at our neighbours like DRC Congo, they have a population of almost 80 million people, but as I speak now, up to 600,000 Congolese nationals are here living as refugees,” he said.
Brig Gen Rugumayo’s warning follows a string of violent confrontations recently seen by members of the security personnel with members of the Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine-led National Unity Platform (NUP)
Brig. Gen. Rugumayo explained that every year, the UPDF carries out activities among local communities as a form of giving back.
He further noted that even though the main Tarehe Sita celebrations will be held in Kigezi, UPDF units across the country are taking part in general cleaning, painting classrooms, and emptying toilets.
The Chairman, Bugolobi Market Mubiru Salim, said working together with the forces has improved their hygiene, thanking the President, UPDF, and partners for the gesture.
The cleaning exercise is part of the broader Tarehe Sita spirit aimed at strengthening the bond between the UPDF and the communities they serve.
