My Survival in Bush was Pure Work of God-Museveni at UPDF Thanksgiving Ceremony

By Kampala Post Reporter

President Yoweri Museveni over the weekend praised God for the protection, especially during the Liberation struggle as Ministry of Defence and UPDF held a thanksgiving ceremony.

The function held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on Saturday was in wrap up of the UPDF 39th Tarehe Sita activities. This year’s Tarehe Sita celebration was held in Nakaseke district early this month.

Officiating at the thanksgiving ceremony, characterized by praise and worship, President Museveni testified that he had witnessed firsthand in his life that God is real.

“There are many things that have happened in my life that I know it could only have been God who intervened,” he said narrating an encounter when they survived being captured as they did underground work during the liberation struggle. He noted that their survival was the pure work of God.

The President said he was impressed by the level of commitment to God exhibited by members of the UPDF. “I am pleasantly surprised to find out that there are many God fearing people in the UPDF,” he remarked amidst cheers from the crowd.

Museveni said he was happy that the gathering was on the right side of history and that all leaders, himself inclusive, were only local authority but there was a higher power above them all, God.

The function was held under the theme “…Take up Your Son”, with major focus on thanking God for the children of the liberation as a key gain of the struggle and the socioeconomic transformation of Uganda.

Children of both living and fallen comrades of the UPDF read the scriptures and prayed for the UPDF, UPDF Families and the Nation and youth. Several groups entertained the gathering such as the Military Christian Wives Fellowship, Watoto wa Jeshi group and popular gospel artistes.

President Museveni thanked the Officers and Militants of the UPDF for their service to the nation. He also applauded the families of the men and women in uniform for giving them the necessary physical and moral support that enables them execute their duties to the nation.

Speaking also was the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanya who noted that much as the country expects a lot from the UPDF, it should be reciprocated with the necessary support. Oulanya thanked God for the peace in Uganda and stressed the need to jealously guard it lest all the efforts invested by the UPDF are put to waste. “We must all be on the look out to resist any form of chaos in the country,” he emphasized.

The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen David Muhoozi said the focus of this year’s theme was children of combatants and the combatants’ spouses. He explained that children are precious and gifts from God who should be mentored.

“Through our children we celebrate our heritage,” Gen Muhoozi said. He asked the Youth to ensure responsible living and use their parents as examples.

The Preacher of the day, Pastor Robert Kayanja of Rubaga Miracle Centre Cathedral thanked UPDF for the sacrifices they make for their country and above all for knowing God.

The function attracted thousands of people among them cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament and several officers of the UPDF.