The UPDF has officially retired 149 senior officers from the active service of the during a function held at the Joint Services Headquarters in Mbuya.
The event served not just as a farewell to uniformed service, but as a powerful appeal for continued national contribution through wise investment and leadership in civilian life.
Presiding over the occasion, the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces and UPDF Inspector General, Lieutenant General Sam Okiding, delivered a poignant message that balanced gratitude with guidance.
Emphasizing the importance of prudent financial planning, he urged the retirees to channel their retirement benefits into meaningful ventures.
“From here, all of you should think correctly and see where to invest your money,” he said, invoking biblical wisdom from Proverbs 4:23: “Be careful how you think. Your life is shaped by your thoughts.”
He warned that poor decisions would yield poor outcomes: “If you think wrongly, expect wrong results.”
Lt Gen Okiding, speaking on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, called the ceremony “historic,” a reflection of how far the military has come in transforming retirement from a period of uncertainty to one of dignity and opportunity.
“Uniformed people today enjoy retirement, but in the past, it was often about being chased out,” he recalled. “Now we celebrate comrades going home alive, with a package, after serving Uganda with courage, integrity, sacrifice and commitment.”
The ceremony wasn’t merely about bidding farewell—it was a redefinition of duty.
“You have been 100 per cent in active service, and you will remain 100 per cent in retirement by serving in another capacity,” he told the officers, encouraging them to continue upholding the UPDF’s values as civilian ambassadors.
Beyond financial wisdom, the Deputy CDF appealed to the emotional and moral commitment the officers had long shown.
“No sacrifice is greater than the one you responded to. Put the well-being of your comrades first before yourselves,” he said, urging them to act as “listening posts” for the institution and remain guardians of Uganda’s hard-earned peace.
A special moment of the ceremony came with his tribute to the officers’ spouses. “We respect you, we are proud of you, and the nation is proud of you,” he said, acknowledging the unheralded sacrifices made at home.
Gratitude was also directed to the Commander-in-Chief, President Museveni, credited for his visionary leadership. Lt Gen Okiding encouraged retirees to harness their accumulated experience in support of Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
Major General James Kinalwa, who heads the Joint Staff – Human Resource Management, framed the retirement as part of UPDF’s deliberate personnel renewal strategy, saying it opens a door rather than closing one.
“Retirement is an important milestone, not an end,” he said. “It creates space for new adventures and for you to tell your story to future generations. In a professional army, it also makes room for younger, energetic personnel to take on the mantle of national defence.”
Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye, Master of Ceremonies and Director of Defence Public Information, added a stirring note of encouragement: the journey from service to civilian life, he said, should be marked by the same honour and dedication.
Speaking on behalf of the retirees, Colonel Godfrey Kalyowa struck a tone of optimism and national pride. “In the past, retirement was feared, but today it is dignified. It is now a transition, not rejection. We return as ambassadors of discipline, integrity and prosperity,” he declared.
Col Kalyowa also praised the current standing of the UPDF as an institution respected both within Uganda and across the region.
The distinguished group of retirees included 24 Colonels, 83 Lieutenant Colonels, and 42 Majors. Each received a Certificate of Service in recognition of their role in securing Uganda’s stability and development.
Among the notable names in Batch 15 were Col Abdu Nasser, Col Justus Besisira, Col Bernard Tumwesigire, Lt Col Jamada Kasongo, Lt Col Suleiman Kizito, and Lt Col Khalid Nasur Kamya.
The ceremony was attended by senior UPDF leaders, including Chief of Joint Staff Lt Gen Jack Bakasumba, officials from the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA), family members, and a cross-section of serving personnel — all gathered to honour those who served with distinction
