Armed forces from the four East African Community (EAC) countries will next month join the UPDF in commemorating Tarehe Sita celebrations.
The military contingents from Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan will engage in community based activities within Bukedi region as a way of fostering cooperation between the army and civilians.
Uganda will celebrate the annual UPDF Tarehe Sita Anniversary and the First EAC Armed Forces Day in February 6 at the Boma grounds in Butaleja district.
The celebrations will be held under the theme; “Reaffirming the contribution of the armed forces towards the integration for our strategic security, development and prosperity”.
In a statement, the UPDF Spokesperson, Brig Richard Karemire said that the joint collaboration by regional armed forces to serve civilians “resonates with the decision of the EAC Defence Council to link the military cooperation with civilians as we integrate”.
The activities to take place in the districts of Butaleja, Paliisa, Budaka, Kibuku, Tororo, Busia by the military will be conducted by medical and emergency services contingents of the five armed forces.
“The rest of UPDF formation units including those deployed abroad will carry out activities in support of communities in their areas of operation,” Brig Karemire said.
The series of activities will be launched on January 30 at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala, followed by a regional launch on January 31 at the Butaleja district headquarters.
The Tarehe Sita week will be climaxed with the main celebrations on February 6 at Boma grounds in Butaleja district.