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The British High Commission in Uganda recently held its annual Service of Remembrance to honor Ugandan soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. The ceremony, held at the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Bugolobi, was attended by Brigadier General James Kinalwa of the Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces (UPDF), representing General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, alongside ambassadors and foreign mission leaders.

Photo Moment with those who attended the annual Service of Remembrance to honor Ugandan soldiers who lost their lives in World War I.

The British High Commission in Uganda observed the annual Service of Remembrance to honor Ugandan soldiers who lost their lives during World War I.

This ceremony is observed annually in Commonwealth countries to pay tribute to military personnel who died in the line of duty.

Brig Gen James Kinalwa who represented CDF Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba with other invited guests

At the ceremony, the Chief of Defense Forces of the Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba was represented by Brig Gen James Kinalwa, the UPDF Joint Staff Human Resource Management.

Several Ambassadors and Heads of Foreign Missions also attended the service at the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Bugolobi.

The Ceremony included Prayer for the Departed Soldiers, laying of wreaths and playing the national anthems of Uganda and Britain.

UPDF’s Gen Kinalwa layed the first wreath, followed by the UK High Commissioner to Uganda, H.E Lisa Chesney MBE.

Brig Gen James Kinalwa laying his wreath

The event, convened by the British Defense Section-Kampala ended with a luncheon hosted by the British High Commissioner and the British Defense Advisor, Lt Col Ash Wiseman.

UK High Commissioner to Uganda, H.E Lisa Chesney MBE laying his wreath

Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day owing to the tradition of wearing a remembrance poppy) is a Memorial Day observed in Commonwealth member states since the end of the First World War to honor armed forces members who died in the line of duty.

The day is also marked by war remembrances in several other non-Commonwealth countries.

In most countries, Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the end of First World War.

Hostilities ended “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month” of 1918, in accordance with the armistice signed by representatives of Germany and the Entente between 5:12 and 5:20 that morning.

One of the members of the British High Commission in Uganda addressing the invited guests

The First World War formally ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on 28 June 1919.