KAMPALA - The Army Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Gen. James Kabarebe, traveled to neighboring Uganda Friday to join in the Ugandan Army’s traditional annual "Tarehe Sita” celebrations.

Army Spokesman Maj. Jill Rutaremara revealed this to The New Times yesterday, noting that Gen. Kabarebe’s entourage included Brig. Gen Mubarak Muganga and Col. Andrew Habyarimana.

"It was on the invitation of the UPDF (Uganda People’s Defence Forces) Chief of Defence Forces’ General Aronda Nyakairima. They are attending the celebrations being held in Rukungiri district today (Friday),” Maj. Rutaremara said.

Held every February 6, Tarehe Sita commemorates the day when the then rebel National Resistance Army (NRA) launched their liberation struggle.

The NRA fighters who included Rwandans like the late Fred Rwigyema and President Paul Kagame in their ranks, made the first attack on then Ugandan President Milton Obote’s soldiers at Kabamba Barracks on February 6, 1981.

They attacked Kabamba military barracks with 27 guns under the leadership of current President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

The NRA ultimately captured power in 1986 and, the Army, now UPDF, has been marking these celebrations for the last 22 years.

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