Nineteen senior Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) generals have brought the curtain down on decades of military service, retiring from active duty at a ceremony presided over by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at State House, Entebbe.
The retirement marked the end of long careers in the military during which the officers served in various command, operational, administrative and strategic positions and contributed to the development of the UPDF and Uganda’s defence and security.
As Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, President Museveni congratulated the retiring officers for their contribution to the force and commended them for upholding discipline, patriotism, integrity and commitment to duty throughout their careers.
“First of all, I congratulate the Generals for the great contribution they made to the UPDF. The UPDF and NRM have been able to build security,” Museveni said.
The President urged the retirees to approach life after active service with the same discipline and prudence that characterised their military careers, particularly when managing their finances.
He encouraged them to invest their savings in relatively secure avenues such as treasury bonds and fixed accounts, saying such investments could provide steady returns without requiring active involvement.
“If you can put Shs600 million and you are getting 15 percent, by the end of the year that is Shs90 million profit,” he said.
Museveni cautioned the retirees against committing large amounts of capital to ventures before establishing their viability, advising them to first put their money in investments that can generate reliable returns.
“What will be safer is simply to put the money where it will earn interest,” he said.
For those who own land, the President recommended goat rearing as a simple and sustainable enterprise, noting that goats have a ready market, reproduce quickly and do not require expensive artificial feeds.
“You can rear goats. Can you fail to get buyers? They don’t need artificial feeds. You can have them on a small scale, something simple, safe and sustainable,” he said.
He also encouraged the retirees to use returns from their savings to gradually finance other projects, including fish farming and rental housing.
“First plant the seeds where they germinate and use the harvest in other projects,” he said.
Beyond investment, Museveni urged the retired officers to remain active in their families and communities, saying their experience could continue to benefit society even after leaving active military service.
The retiring officers include Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, Lt. Gen. Charles Otema Awany, Lt. Gen. Charles Angina, Maj. Gen. Abel Kandiho, Maj. Gen. Geoffrey Tumusiime Katsigazi, Maj. Gen. Apollo Kasiita Gowa and Maj. Gen. Leopold Kyanda.
Others are Brig. Gen. E. Muhanguzi, Brig. Gen. S. Omar, Brig. Gen. F. Zakye, Brig. Gen. FR Akiiki, Brig. Gen. MS Kisame, Brig. Gen. PB Mwesigwe, Brig. Gen. ST Kashure, Brig. Gen. SN Ocan, Brig. Gen. MK Bitimbika, Brig. Gen. C. Bakahumura, Brig. Gen. CK Asiimwe and Brig. Gen. CM Muhindo.
The Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding, described the retirees as officers who had made significant contributions to the transformation of the UPDF and the maintenance of peace and security.
He praised their discipline and commitment to duty, saying their careers had helped shape the institution they were now leaving behind.
Speaking on behalf of the retiring officers, Gen. Katumba Wamala said they were leaving behind an institution built through sacrifice and urged serving officers to protect its legacy.
“We are handing to you a well-disciplined and respected institution built through sacrifice,” Katumba said, urging the UPDF to uphold patriotism, professionalism and integrity.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining a strong relationship between the military and civilians and called on serving officers to remain loyal to the Constitution.
“We have an umbilical cord between the UPDF and the civilian population; please guard that and, of course, remain loyal to the Constitution,” he said.
The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, told the retirees that although their active military careers had come to an end, their responsibility to represent and serve Uganda had not.
“The retirement marks the end of active military service for the Generals, following years of service in the UPDF in different capacities. You are our ambassadors out there, so keep representing us,” he said.
Kiwanuka also urged the retired officers to use the knowledge acquired through financial management training to promote wealth creation.
The ceremony was also attended by the Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs (Defence), Akifeza Grace Ngabirano, and other UPDF officers.
For the 19 generals, the ceremony marked more than a formal exit from active duty. It was the closing chapter of military careers shaped by years of command, sacrifice and service, while opening a new phase in which they are expected to continue contributing to their families, communities and country in different ways.
