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UPDF Cleans Up Lira City in Annual Tarehe Sita Preparations.
LIRA CITY, Uganda – The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) on Monday launched a city-wide clean-up exercise in Lira, an annual tradition of community service ahead of Tarehe Sita, the anniversary of the UPDF’s founding. The two-day event saw soldiers working alongside city leaders and residents to sanitize key public areas.
Lira City Mayor Sam Atul, while addressing the troops, expressed profound gratitude for the army’s continued partnership. “As leaders of Lira city, we celebrate the UPDF and we love you. This is not the first time that the UPDF are giving service to Lira city,” he stated. The Mayor urged the public to embrace the spirit of the initiative and take responsibility for maintaining a clean environment.
The Resident City Commissioner (RCC) for Lira, Emmy Lawrence Egole, commended the “men and women of the mighty UPDF” for their diligence and professionalism in serving the nation. Addressing thousands of soldiers, he attributed the prevailing peace in the country and the wider East African region to the UPDF’s efforts. “They have managed not only Uganda but they have managed East Africa and other parts of Africa, and hence nobody in the world can take this for granted,” he remarked.
The initiative was widely praised by residents. Mr. Abdul Agasaki congratulated the UPDF for their efforts, saying they had demonstrated a true “spirit of brotherhood and patriotism.” He added that the exercise was well-received by city authorities, market vendors, and the general public, who all appreciated the “job well done.” Ocen Tonny, a member of the NRM fraternity, also expressed his happiness with the activity.
The Lira City Environment Officer, Leonard Otika, commended the UPDF for cleaning up Lira city by really showing their ability and responsibility ahead of Tarehe sita celebration. The people of Lira city should learn from the UPDF as they exercise the issue of hygiene and cleaning the city environment yearly a kind of social coperate responsibility.
Presiding over the official launch at the Main Market, the Deputy 5th Infantry Division Commander, Colonel Gai Fraser Mpadwa, applauded the seamless cooperation from Lira city leaders, which he said contributed to the success of the first day’s activities. He confirmed that the exercise would continue into the next day.
According to the program released by the 5th Infantry Division Public Information Officer, PIO Ssekito Ibrahim, the activities are scheduled as follows:
MONDAY, 12, JANUARY 2026
Locations: Uhuru Bar, Obote Avenue, Main Market, Corner Bar
Participant Assembly: Mayor’s Gardens by 8:00 AM
Official Launch: By the Deputy Division Commander at the Main Market at 10:00 AM
Exercise Duration: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
TUESDAY, 13 JANUARY 2026
Locations: Jinja Camp, Kakoge, Teso Bar, and Lira Main Hospital
The press was invited to conduct interviews with senior commanders and key city leaders, including the RCC and City Mayor. All members of the public were encouraged to take part in the community-wide event. The clean-up sets a collaborative tone for the upcoming Tarehe Sita celebrations, highlighting the strong relationship between the military and the people of Lira City.
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