President Yoweri Museveni has commended the Ministry of Defence and Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba for planning commemorative ceremonies for the late Gen. Aronda Nyakairima.
Museveni emphasized the value of these events in promoting harmony and safeguarding the heritage of fallen military personnel.
During his tenure as Minister of Internal Affairs and CDF, Gen. Aronda was acknowledged for his significant efforts, which included founding the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and the Wazalendo Savings and Credit Cooperative Society.
The president emphasized that one of the main causes of the 1980s bush war struggle was cheating, and that NIRA is essential in ensuring Ugandans are properly identified, especially during elections.
He also commended Gen Aronda’s efforts in strengthening civil-military relations, comparing the army to fish and the population to water, noting, “You cannot have fish without water.”
Linda Aronda, the widow of Gen. Aronda, thanked Gen. Kainerugaba for heading the memorial committee at the occasion.
Bishop Patrick Tugume also acknowledged Kainerugaba’s leadership, praying for continued success for him and the UPDF.
Earlier, both Museveni and Kainerugaba reflected on Gen Aronda’s pivotal role in professionalising the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF), with Museveni praising his discipline, ideology, and management skills.
The three-day events were attended by top military figures, government officials, and foreign dignitaries.
