KAMPALA.
President Museveni urged officers of the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces(UPDF) to always support a just cause and also serve with diligence.
“UPDF has succeeded because we were fighting for a just cause (kulwanira amazima). And a just cause is in our mission of prosperity for all, strategic security, and using the brotherhood of our people. And if you go on the spiritual side, it is because we believe in loving your neighbour as you love yourself,” President Museveni who was accompanied by the First Lady Ms Janet Museveni, made the remarks during the 14th annual Tarehe Sita Thanksgiving service ceremony at UPDF headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala on Thursday
At the event held under the theme: “God’s Army serves the people and will always be a beacon of hope”, the Commander-in – Chief emphasized that the UPDF’s focus on socio-economic transformation has been central to its evolution into a capable and efficient force, playing a pivotal role in ensuring Uganda’s security to cause prosperity to all Ugandans irrespective of their backgrounds.
“If you want prosperity for yourself, you should work for prosperity for others because remember what Jesus said; How can you say you love God, whom you have never seen, but you hate your neighbour? You remember that one? So, Jesus was telling you that if you hate human beings, you hate God. So, this is the same. The NRM is a lover of all human beings, irrespective of religion, irrespective of tribes, irrespective of whether they are women or men,” he said .
Drawing evidence from the story of David in the Bible, who transitioned from a shepherd to a king, Mr Museveni illustrated the unexpected paths individuals may take in life, including many UPDF officers who found themselves in roles they never anticipated ,but have since performed diligently to further the NRM’s vision and mission.
“So when you are somewhere, God has put you, you are the secretary in the office, or storekeeper, do the work very well,” he noted, while emphasizing the four core principles of the National Resistance Movement (NRM): patriotism, pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation, and democracy.
He believes these principles are essential for Uganda’s prosperity and development, especially through promoting trade within Uganda and abroad for many of the products, such as milk, beef, and cement, whose internal market is not enough.
“So that’s why, when we analyze you people, the people who are telling you about the sectarianism of tribes and religion are your enemies. They don’t know what you need. Love Uganda. Why? Because you need it for your prosperity. Love Africa. Why? Because you need it for your own prosperity, whether you love the other Africans or not, but you need them for your own good,” Mr Museveni stated.
On her part, the First Lady hailed the development and formation of the UPDF that mirrors the journey of Uganda as a nation, noting that despite the fact that they lacked a lot during their humble beginnings, such as military machinery, they were driven by their willingness to pay the ultimate sacrifice for Uganda’s freedom.
“They didn’t have much, but they had the most important things. Heavenly Father, help our gallant UPDF officers to continue to fear You, to rule justly and in righteousness because this is the secret of their success as an army,” she said.
She added that it was God responsible for the transformation of the UPDF from the early days of the guerrilla fighters with just 27 guns into a professional, disciplined, and focused army whose sole purpose is to defend Ugandans .
“As Ugandans, we have been very proud of the UPDF, as we have seen, it has become an exporter of peace and stability in the region. In South Sudan, Somalia, the Central African Republic, and beyond. Wherever you have sent the UPDF, peace and stability have ensued,”she noted.
The Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen. Sam Okiding saluted President Museveni for building a strong, patriotic and disciplined army that has enabled economic transformation of Uganda.
Col. Dr. Victor Nekesa, the UPDF representative in Parliament, Brig. Gen. David Gonyi, chief of staff of the UPDF Air Force, and Brig. Gen. Michael Kabango earlier led special prayers for the UPDF family, national stability, and peace in the region, respectively.
The ceremony was attended by 2,000 guests from the UPDF and other government departments.