On Tuesday the Office of the Chief of Defence Forces with support from Vivo Energy, Vision group, Uganda, Riham, Uzima water, Stanbic Bank, Nile Breweries and UPDF Members of Parliament have held the second Children’s end of year party for children of officers and men of UPDF at Kakiri 1st Infantry Division Headquarters in Wakiso district.
Presiding over the function, the Chief of Defence Forces Gen. David Muhoozi extended his profound appreciation to the Commander in Chief for the wise leadership in everything UPDF does and to his predecessor Gen. Katumba Wamala for having started this kind of celebration that brings together children and spouses of UPDF soldiers.
He stressed that it was long over due since Officers and Men have always had many avenues of meeting and association yet it has not been the case for their children and spouses. “This discrimination will be no more as this end of year party will now be held annually so that our children can socialize among them selves and their parents” he added.
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 noted that children are the future of Uganda and indeed of UPDF and therefore parents are called upon to prepare them for the future.
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 surrounding 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.
In a special way, he thanked Reach Out to the Wives of Soldiers Association (ROWOSA) under the spouse’s desk for having chosen 1st Division to host this year’s CDF’s End of year children’s party. Brig Kawaga thanked the wives of soldiers for always being with them through thin and thick times.
Among the guests was Doctor Evans Kulaba of Jubilee Christian Churches in Uganda who talked to the soldiers and chuldren. In his remarks, he stressed that charity begins at home and that he was impressed by the way UPDF fraternity is bringing religious and moral values beginning with their children since they are tomorrow’s UPDF.
Dr Evans thanked the UPDF leadership for having created an Army of inclusion that is people centred far much better than the past Armies. He called upon all UPDF officers and Men to bring the service of the lord closer in their houses by continuing with such similar events.
In the same vain, the head of spouses Desk Mrs Rebecca Mugume thank 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 full of events amongst which were two games netball and football between 1st Division team and Military police. Military Police lost to Kakiri Army Prumary School by a margin of 3 goals to zero while in Netball 1st Division lost 7:3 against Military police team.
The children and their parents danced to the tunes of Hon. Judith Babirye and Baby Gloria who graced the occasion while Movit products were donated to wives of soldiers
Many General officers and senior officers of UPDF acompanied the CDF. Among them was: 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.
The residents of Kakiri township too turned up in big numbers.
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