On February 6, 1981, Museveni launched a guerrilla war with 41 fighters, with only 27 armed with guns and pistols and attacked Kabamba Military School. This bold move launched a 5-year guerrilla war that liberated Uganda.
Led by President Yoweri Museveni drove along Masaka-Nyendo-Katigondo-Ssembabule road in an old truck with one mission, to attack Kabamba Military Barracks and grab as many guns as possible so that they start a revolution to overthrow President Milton Obote.
They attacked Kabamba at around 8:15 am, but they did not get as many weapons as they expected. When they attacked Kabamba on February 6, they had 27 guns. To these, they added 13 after the attack.
This, according to accounts of Museveni and fellow fighters, was not so good, but also not bad since they did not suffer grave losses.
On the next day, the group attacked Nsunga Police post and on top of three guns also captured a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG).
The number of guns increased to 60 on February 8, after they attacked Uganda National Liberation Front (UNLA) posts in Kiboga district.
The attack on Kabamba triggered a five-year guerrilla war also known as the Liberation War, which brought Museveni to power in 1986 under the National Resistance Army/Movement (NRA/M).
The fighters include Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Caleb Akandwanaho Museveni’s brother known as Salim Saleh, Paul Kagame Rwandas current president, Sam Magara and Julius Mucunguzi,George, Maj Gen Fred Rwigyema, Gen Elly Tumwine, Ahmed Seguya, Sam Magara, Hajji Ali, Mwesigwa Black, Asea Asea, William Wamala, Hussein Ada, Sam Katabarwa, Patrick Baguma, Eriya Kategaya, Gen Elly Tumwine, Maj Gen Pecos Kutesa. These great Heros among others faced many challenges in a five-year bush war but made great sacrifices in fighting for the liberation of Uganda.
The National Resistance Army (NRA) was later renamed to Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in 1995, after Uganda adopted a new Constitution. Their (UPDF) mission remains peace building and protecting Uganda, this has helped the country to regain stability hence enabling citizens to engage in their daily activities without the constant threat of insecurity.