Stanbic’s Diana Ondoga handing over an assortment of medical equipment to Brig Gen Michael Kibuye
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Talehe Sita, which is celebrated every 6th of February to commemorate the day when the guerrilla war was launched following the attack on Kabamba, brings forth both fond and bitter memories.
During this time, the UPDF gives back to the communities of a selected region. This time round, the pendulum fell on Greater Masaka. The army gives up its medical personnel who engage in medical camps to treat all in need.
According to Brig Gen Michael Kibuye, the Director of Civil-Military Cooperation in the UPDF, said they have engineers who do construction works in selected schools and health centres on volunteer basis. Other activities they deal in include cleaning and sports activities such as Football and Netball.
Several local companies come on board to support the cause, among which is Stanbic Bank and Sadolin Paints.
Stanbic Bank Uganda has henceforth donated an assortment of medical equipment to the entity to boost maternal health services.
The donations included 10 delivery beds, 100 Mama Kits and 2,000 fruit tree seedlings. The bank will also deliver sports kits for the Marathon on February 5th.
Stanbic bank also donated 2,000 fruit tree seedlings to UPDF
Diana Ondoga, Stanbic Bank’s Manager of Corporate Social Investment officially handed over the donation, said they were keen on safe motherhood as an entity.
“We are also very keen on growing Uganda. We are more than banking. We are here to grow, transform and change Uganda. A healthy country easily facilitates socio-economic transformation,” he noted.
While receiving the donation at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Mbuya over the weekend, Brig Gen Michael Kibuye, commended Stanbic Bank for its consistent support towards the Tarehe Sita celebrations.
The army decided to collaborate with Greater Masaka, which is comprised of one City and nine districts including, Masaka, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Kalungu, Kyotera, Rakai, Kalangala, Bukomansimbi and Sembabule.
Brig Gen Dr James Kiyengo, the Surgeon General and Director of Health Services for Land Forces said, “Masaka is a region that is unique. We have Bukasa Health Centre IV, located in an Island community whose theatre has not worked since 1993 and that is my particular focus.
He said the Health Centre II’s and III’s are going to get delivery beds. “Therefore, we are going to have a very big impact of mother and child health services in those areas.”
UPDF additionally received a donation of paint worth Sh63 million from Sadolin Paints Uganda to support the forthcoming Tarehe Sita Anniversary celebrations.
A Sadolin Paints official handing over paint to Brig Gen Michael Kibuye
Brig Gen Kibuye who received the donation expressed gratitude to Sadolin for their generous contribution, adding that paint worth shs63 million is not a small contribution.
Col Deo Akiiki, the Deputy Director Defence Public Information, emphasised the importance of partnerships in meeting the needs of communities during Tarehe Sita activities.
“When we assess the needs of these regions, they often amount to billions, but the needs often far exceed our budget, sometimes reaching wish lists of Shs 50 billion,” he explained.
He said they focus on quick-impact projects that immediately benefit the community.
Ashish Devani, who spoke on behalf of Sadolin Paint Uganda, expressed the company’s commitment to supporting community-focused initiatives.
“Sadolin has been part of Uganda for over 50 years, and our success is tied to the people of this country. We are proud to partner with the UPDF for Tarehe Sita because it is an opportunity to give back to the community that has supported us for decades,” he said.
