UPDF commando warns Ugandans against taking 40 years of peace for granted

The Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence, Brig Gen Rugumayo Abdul, has cautioned Ugandans against becoming complacent about the country’s four decades of uninterrupted peace, warning that carelessness could undermine the stability Uganda has enjoyed since 1986.

Speaking at the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) headquarters in Mbuya on Thursday, Brig Gen Rugumayo said this year’s Tarehe Sita theme, “Protecting the Gains of the Revolution,” reflects the need for Ugandans to safeguard the security achievements of the past 40 years.

“The government has remained uninterrupted for about 40 years. We want people to know that we should not play around with this peace. It can run out of our hands at any time if we are not careful,” he said.

Officials from the Office of the President, UPDF, Uganda Prisons Service, and Uganda Police Force were participating in Corporate Social Responsibility activities ahead of the 45th Tarehe Sita anniversary in 2026.

Brig Gen Rugumayo cited regional instability—particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)—as a reminder of how quickly peace can deteriorate. Uganda is currently hosting more than 600,000 Congolese refugees, he noted, fleeing conflict in their home country.

“Look at our neighbours in DRC with a population of almost 80 million. As I speak now, up to 600,000 Congolese nationals are here as refugees,” he said.

His remarks come amid a series of recent confrontations involving security forces and supporters of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), although he did not directly address these incidents.

The UPDF Deputy Intelligence Chief emphasized that Tarehe Sita is not only a military commemoration but also a period for the army to engage communities through social responsibility. He said that while the main national celebrations will be held in Kigezi, UPDF units across the country are taking part in activities such as drainage cleaning, painting classrooms, and refurbishing public facilities.

At Bugolobi Market, where part of the cleanup was conducted, market chairman Mubiru Salim praised the joint effort.

“Working together with the forces has greatly improved our hygiene. We thank the President, the UPDF, and all partners for this gesture,” he said.

The activities form part of the broader Tarehe Sita spirit of fostering cooperation between the UPDF and the communities they serve.