The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen David Muhoozi has commended the initiative to bring together families of the officers and men of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
He was speaking at the Children’s end of year party for children of officers and men of UPDF at Kakiri 1st Infantry Division Headquarters in Wakiso district on Tuesday.
Gen Muhoozi gave credit to the Commander in Chief, President Yoweri Museveni and his predecessor, Gen. Katumba Wamala for having started the annual celebration that unites children and spouses of UPDF soldiers.
“This discrimination will be no more as this end of year party will now be held annually so that our children can socialize amongst them selves and their parents,” he said.
While the officers and militants meet often, he noted that their families had no avenues of meeting to associate with each other.
The CDF encouraged togetherness so as to help officers, men and their spouses to impact values of love, hard work, discipline, patriotism, peace and stability and the UPDF principles into the children.
He termed the children as the successors of UPDF which is intended to be preserved and thus can only be done through good grooming.
Gen Muhoozi reminded the gathering that UPDF children are one family which should be brought up well through prayers and instilling in them Godly moral standards as a nursery bed for the future.
He commended the inclusion of sports in the whole celebration as it encourages natural fitness amongst the young blood. He called upon the young people to bring back to the community the exact good values that have been imparted into them by their parents.
Upon request by the 1st Division Commander Brig Sam Kawaga and by his observation, the CDF promised to pursue the start of a secondary school at 1st Division headquarters to cater for the growing population of children and the sorrounding population
The Commander 1st Division Brig Sam Kawaga extended his appreciation to the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) leadership and the Office of CDF for having started the idea of bringing UPDF children together for such a wonderful association.
On her part, the head of spouses Desk, Rebecca Mugume thanked MODVA and CDF office in particular for having appreciated their children and allowed them organize the end of year party for them.
The event was characterized by dance, funfare and games such as netball and football between 1st Division team and military police.
Singer-cum-legislator, Judith Babirye and Baby Gloria were among those who entertained the participants. Movit Products Limited made donations to wives of soldiers.
The celebration was attended by Senior officers of the UPDF including the Chief of Personnel and Administration Brig. George Igumba, the Chief of Welfare and production Brig Musajjawaza and that of Pensions and Gratuity Brig Bitumbika.
