Army launches first ever Tarehe Sita Marathon
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces has launched the first ever Tarehe Sita Marathon as part of the 38th celebrations.
The event organized in Kitgum on Tuesday morning was presided over by the Chief of Defence Forces in the UPDF, Gen.David Muhooizi as the chief runner and was flagged off at the town council headquarters by Maj.Gen.Joseph Musanyufu, the army’s Joint Chief of Staff.
Keep Reading
Speaking shortly, Gen.Muhoozi said the event was organized as part of President Museveni’s call for fighting non communicable diseases through a health living.
He applauded the participants for associating with army activities, adding that the civil-military activities will cement their relationship with the people.
He added that such "landmark" engagements with the population truly reflect the UPDF as a pro-people army, ready to work with the population in ensuring peace and stability as one of the ways to ensure prosperity.
The UPDF Chief of Education, Sports and Culture, Brig Phinehas Katirima, commended the army leadership for choosing Acholi sub-region as a turning point for this year's Tarehe Sita civil military activities.
He also applauded locals in Acholi for being physically fit and staying on the side of UPDF in the restoration of peace and democracy.
Some participants participated in cycling.
The Kitgum Municipality Member of Parliament, Beatrice Anywar noted that keeping physically fit is the way to go in shaking off some diseases.
The inaugural 5km run that ended at Kitgum Core Primary Teachers' College, attracted participants from UPDF, local residents, school children and others from the corporate world aimed at changing the face of Acholi Sub-Region.
The first 5 winners of the Marathon in different categories scooped cash prizes.
Jacob Labong and Douglas Ogik emerged winner and runner-up respectively in the men's category whereas Evelyn Lamara and Nancy Akello emerged winner and runner-up respectively in the women’s category.
UPDF later cleaned streets in Kitgum.
The marathon was also aimed at creating a long lasting relationship with the people in Northern Uganda and also ensure the locals are physically fit to avoid the dangers from Non Communicable Diseases like High Blood Pressure and Diabetes.
After the marathon, UPDF troops, locals, members from the corporate world and area leaders cleaned-up selected Kitgum roads and the market to fulfill their Corporate Social Responsibility duty.
The army celebrates February 6, every year as the day that the National Resistance Army launched an attack on Kabamba barracks to seize guns in 1981 and it marked the beginning of the five year guerilla war that later ushered in the NRM government to power.
This year’s Tarehe Sita celebrations in Kitgum will be preceded by a host of activities including renovations and construction of schools and health centres and free medical camps, all done by the UPDF.
The 38th Tarehe Sita celebrations will be held under the theme; “UPDF and the People. Consolidating Peace for Sustainable Development and Prosperity.”
