Prime
14 UPDF generals, over 600 junior officers retire
The retirement ceremony for the generals was held at State House, Entebbe yesterday and was presided over by President Museveni, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.
What you need to know:
- The retirement ceremony for the generals was held at State House, Entebbe yesterday and was presided over by President Museveni, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), has retired 14 generals and 604 junior officers.
The retired generals include Gen Ivan Koreta, Lt Gen Pecos Onesmus Kuteesa, and Lt Gen Jim Besigye Owoyesigire.
The retirement ceremony for the generals was held at State House, Entebbe yesterday and was presided over by President Museveni, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.
The spokesperson of the army, Brig Flavia Byekwaso, in a statement said the ceremony for other retirees would be held at their respective service headquarters, formations and units.
“The Ministry of Defence and UPDF recognise their commitment, sacrifice, selflessness and dedication to offering security service to the country at a time where many shunned joining the liberation struggle in favour of maintaining the status quo,” she said.
Likewise, at the UPDF Land Forces headquarters in Bombo, Luweero District, at least 181 soldiers were sent off to civilian life yesterday.
The ceremony was devoid of the usual pomp and fanfare because of Covid-19 restrictions.
Maj Gen Sam Okidingi, the deputy commander of the Land Forces, presided over the Bombo sendoff ceremony.
The retiring officers include one officer at the rank of Colonel, 15 Lt Colonels, 21 officers at the rank of Major, one Captain, and 144 non-commissioned officers, who marched away with their respective UPDF discharge certificates.
Many of the retiring officers who Daily Monitor interviewed revealed that they have plans to venture into agriculture as soon as they receive their respective retirement packages.
Col Charles Barija, who retired after 42 years in the military, said: “Back at home in Rushere Sub-county, Kiruhura District, I own a farm and believe that this is the right time to join farming.”
He added: “God has granted me life and enabled me to serve for the last 42 years in the army. When I joined the army, there were lots of human rights abuses in Uganda. I am happy to have been part of the team that has worked to bring peace in the country.”
Procedure
Army retirement
The UPDF terms and conditions of service provide that it’s illegal to keep army officers in active service once they clock a certain age but are not promoted to the next rank.
For example, it’s illegal to have an officer at the rank of captain or major, aged 50, in active service.
At the age of 40, if a captain is not promoted to major, the army must retire the officer.
Regulation 28, Cap 307 of the terms of service specifies at which age an officer should be promoted to another rank if not be retired from the service but according to army sources, the UPDF continues to flout sections of its own regulations.
From the rank of Lieutenant to Captain, one can apply for early retirement at 40 years, while a Major can leave service at 45.
A Lieutenant Colonel in the UPDF can retire at 47, while a Colonel’s retirement age is 51.
From the rank of 2nd Lieutenant to General, an officer can rightly apply for retirement after 14 years of service, while the lower ranks can retire after nine years.
Some of the retired officers
Gen Ivan Koreta
Lt Gen Pecos O Kuteesa
Lt Gen Jim B Owoyesigire
Maj Gen Christopher K Murema
Maj Gen Moses W Ssentongo
Maj Gen Robert Rusoke
Maj Gen Fred Mugisha
Maj Gen Innocent G Oula
Brig Gen Moses Kigongo
Brig Gen Jacob Asiimwe
Brig Gen Moses S Lukyamuzi
Brig Gen Muhammed Abiriga
Brig Gen John Araali Kasaija
Brig Gen FRANK KANYARUTOKYE
LT COL ISAAC KATONGOLE
LT COL JOHN K KAMYA
LT COL SULAIMAN KABAMBALI
LT.COL SAMMY M SEMANDA
LT COL JOHN BASIIMA
LTCOL BANABAS B MUGHONGO
LT COL LIVINGSTONE ROROTYO
LT.COL LENARD MAYANJA
LT COL ALEX NYAKAHUMA
LT.COL ALEX WANDERA
LT.COL ISA ARISAI ECODU
LT.COL WILLY M KITAYIMBWA
LT.COL SAMUEL OKULLO
LT.COL FRANCIS OSAMA
LT.COL CHARLES BARIJA.
MAJ SARA JULIET
MAJ BALUNGI LUBEGA
MAJ PHILIP ESAU ESOGU
MAJ CELWSTINE BAYISE
MAJ JOHN WASWA
MAJ MOSES E MUSANA
MAJ RICHARD TUGUME
MAJ JACKSON W KAMARA
MAJ KOKOO AKULE
MAJ FRANCIS MUYAMBI
MAJ WENCESLAUS TUGUME
MAJ JOHN M WASWA
MAJ WILSON MUTAHI
MAJ DAVID B GUMISIRIZA
MAJ JOHN MWESIGWA
MAJ BUGIRI M NATHAN
MAJ TEDDY JOYCE KAVUMA
MAJ MICHEAL AYAKA
MAJ DICKENS KANYORO
MAJ MUHAMMED ASIIMWE
MAJ SOLOMON BUKENYA
