On a bright Saturday morning, President Museveni was attending the 12th Tarehe Sita annual thanksgiving breakfast when he announced a new initiative that would provide free education to the children of soldiers from primary to secondary level. This was in a bid to reduce the burden faced by soldiers who have to provide for their families on top of the sacrifices they make to keep the country safe.
The president had long held this vision since the days of the freedom fighters when they were not paid for 17 years. He recounted that they only received food and clothes, and when they started getting payment, it was still very little. However, he encouraged the fighters to start institutional schools that would provide free education for the children of soldiers in government or army-run primary and secondary schools.
President Museveni also spoke about the various initiatives that the army has taken to support the families of soldiers. These initiatives included providing money-making activities for spouses, the establishment of the Wazelendo Sacco, and allowing wives to use the barracks land for cultivation.
The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, reassured the President that the concept of free education for the children of soldiers was in steady progress. The army was in charge of 36 primary schools, 11 secondary schools under the Uganda Primary Education (UPE) and Uganda Secondary Education (USE) respectively, four polytechnics, and one medical school offering certificates in midwifery and other related areas.
Gen Mbadi also revealed that the army had plans to establish a university for the same children. The army had already started with a National Defence College (NDC), and they wanted it to become a degree-awarding institution focusing on science courses. However, there were still issues with the National Council for Higher Education, but they were optimistic that they would get there with the help of Mama Janet, who was present at the event.
The UPDF dedicates Tarehe Sita celebrations each year to a special category that has a connection with the revolution. Since 2011, the UPDF has given attention to heroes of the revolution, living and dead, widows of the revolution, children of the revolution, fallen comrades, and soldiers with disabilities, among others. This year’s celebration was dedicated to the Fronasa family, who had put down their limbs, feet, and blood at the altar of liberating Uganda for decades.
President Museveni’s initiative to provide free education to the children of soldiers is a significant step in supporting the welfare of soldiers and their families. It is a recognition of the sacrifices that soldiers make to keep the country safe and secure, and it is a way of saying thank you to them for their service. With the army’s plans to establish a university for these children, the future looks bright for the families of soldiers in Uganda.
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