President Museveni retires senior Generals, Sejusa finally makes the cut

The Commander in Chief of the armed forces has today 31 August 2022 retired Generals from active service. The Generals were retired at a special ceremony presided over by H.E the President at State House Entebbe.

Late Gen Elly Tumwiine who was buried yesterday was number one on the list of retirees. His service began on 1^st April 1979. Gen David Sejusa whose retirement has been long overdue was number two on the list having served from 10^th February 1980 until today 31^st August 2022.

The other retirees are; Lt Gen J Mugume 1^st January 1978- 31^st August 2022, Lt Gen P Nalweyiso 10^th February 1982-31^st August 2022, Lt Gen Andrew Gutti 1^st January 1981-31^st August 2022, Maj Gen S Kashaka 17 July 1979-31^st August 2022, Maj Gen JT Kakaari 1^st April 1979-31^st August 2022 and Maj Gen MP Katirima 20^th February 1982-31^st August 2022.

The CIC has also retired; Maj Gen E Kayanja 1^st January 1981-31^st August 2022, Maj Gen GB Muheesi 28^th February 1982-31^st August 2022, Maj Gen BK Nyamunywanisa 1^st May 1979-31^st August 2022, Maj Gen DK Kyomukama 1^st May 1979-31^st August 2022, Maj Gen M Ondoga 1^st January 1986-31^st August 2022, Maj Gen G Mugyenyi 1^st January 1980-31^st August 2022, Maj Gen O Butuuro 15^th September 1985-31^st August 2022 and Brig Gen S Kwiringira 5^th May 1981-31^st August 2022.

 Other Generals are; Brig Gen ET Tumuhairwe 13^th March 1979-31^st August 2022, Brig Gen JN Wasswa 19^th April 1981-31^st August 2022, Brig Gen C Mugisha 19^th April 1981-31^st August 2022, Brig Gen GB Mwesigwa 4^th August 197931^st August 2022, Brig Gen CT Rutarago 1^st April 1979-31^st August 2022, Brig Gen F Mugyenyi, Brig Gen GK Sambwa, Brig Gen Agaba, Brig Gen J Kagyezi, Brig Gen SS Gava, Brig Gen SB Mumpe, Brig Gen FT Kashaka, Brig Gen JW Mulondo, Brig Gen JS Obima, Brig Gen B Ntegyereize, Brig Gen GJ Etyang, Brig Gen MN Dede, Brig Gen BO Obola, Brig Gen P Eswapu, Brig Gen JK Mukasa and Brig Gen J Rubahika.

The others include; Brig Gen F Kyakonye, Brig Gen A Kasule, Brig Gen J Muma, Brig Gen VO Labii, Brig Gen J Anywar, Brig Gen A Musoke, Brig Gen VL Ssenfuka, Brig Gen R Mpagi, Brig Gen P Mugarura, Brig Gen A Ndyanabo, Brig Gen AG Lugeni and Brig Gen B Omure.

All the Generals were present at the event which was held at State House Entebbe except for three; the late Gen ET Tumwine, Brig Gen VO Labii and Brig Gen Justine Anywar.

On Tuesday, a total of two hundred sixty (260) senior Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) officers were also retired from active service after more than thirty years (30) of service to the nation and region.

The retirement ceremony was held at the Land Forces Headquarters in Bombo, Luwero district.

The retired officers included: 62 at the rank of Colonel, 65 Lieutenant Colonels and 133 Majors. This is batch twelve (12) for Financial Year 2022/23.

While officiating at the function, the UPDF Commander Land Forces (CLF) Lt Gen Muhoozi Keinerugaba on behalf of the President and Commander in Chief of the UPDF H.E Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, thanked the retiring Senior Officers for the great work done in preserving peace and stability both in the country and beyond.

He congratulated the retirees for making it to the end, saying their journey has been long and remarkable.

The CLF further thanked the retirees for their dedicated service to both the UPDF and country. “You indeed defined the spirit of patriotism and self-service. These two elements have always been great pillars in the UPDF,” he said, adding that offices will always remain open to them for any assistance. “This is a day of celebrations, it’s your day. Enjoy it fully and God bless you,” he noted. He, however, warned them to be careful as they begin a new chapter of life into the civilian world.

Lt Gen Muhoozi enumerated the achievements made by Land Forces so far under his leadership including, improvement of troops welfare by constructing the operations center, completing the perimeter wall at the headquarters that covers the whole barracks, constructing new residencies for both Officers and Militants at the Land Forces Headquarters among others.

In his remarks to the retiring officers, the Commandant General Headquarters Maj Gen Dr. Lucky Joseph Kidega saluted them for a job well done, urging them to uphold the UPDF Ideology of maintaining strict adherence to civil military cooperation.

He re-echoed this by requesting the retirees to follow Maj Dhyan Chand quote: “It’s my country’s duty to push me ahead, it’s my duty to push my country ahead.”

“Comrades, your sacrifice, devotion, diligence and contribution towards attaining peace and stability, social economic transformation of this country and Africa cannot be taken for granted. Your tireless efforts towards the development of this nation and Africa has registered greater achievements so far and is justifiable. Thank you very much for adding value towards the transformation of UPDF fraternity and institution as a whole,” Maj Gen Kidega noted.

He urged them to maintain discipline and desist from alcoholism on top of engaging in physical exercises and maintaining a balanced diet for their well-being.

“Employ our military ideology of civil military cooperation, you need to cooperate with them for a successful stay at home, lastly invest your retirement package wisely and I wish you all the best in your retirement,” Maj Gen Kidega concluded.

The Adjutant General at Headquarters Brig Gen Hassan Kimbowa congratulated the retirees for their long service and wished them the best in their new journey ahead.

He later read out their names and issued out the certificates of service.

In his farewell remarks on behalf of the retirees, the senior most retiree Col Sam Karogo Murari, thanked the Commander in Chief and the entire UPDF leadership for the enormous support, courage and guidance rendered to everyone retiring today.

“We appreciate the love, team spirit and teamwork from our superiors, colleagues and our juniors; most especially our families, spouses and children who have been there for the success of our work,” Col Karogo appreciated.

“The journey has been a mountain and today we have reached the peak. We look down to the low land and see peace, stability and a vibrant economy,” he noted.

He commended the UPDF leadership for improving the welfare of troops and congratulated fellow retirees for completing their journey. 

Col Karogo concluded by urging them to maintain cohesion and vigilance. 

The occasion was also attended by UPDF Chiefs, Directors, local area and religious leaders from Luwero District, among others.