The state minister for defence and veteran affairs, Col Okello Engola, has asked the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF)’s promotions board to elevate President Yoweri Museveni, who is also the commander-in-chief of the defence forces, to the rank of field marshal.

Okello, who was speaking on Tuesday during the decoration of 40 senior army officers at the headquarters of the Ministry of Defence and Veteran’s Affairs in Mbuya, Kampala said the President should be rewarded for what he described as “visionary” and “wise” leadership.

“To the newly-promoted generals, I offer you my sincere congratulations, and I wish you success in your endeavours. This function would not have taken place if it were not for the wise and visionary leadership of our President and commander-in-chief.

In that regard, I, therefore, in a special way wish to thank the President for promoting these officers and for his continued guidance to the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and UPDF in particular,” the state minister for defence and veteran affairs said.

“I suggest that the promotions board should also consider elevating the President to the rank of field marshal,” he added.

Okello told the decorated officers that their promotion is a sign of confidence from the President, adding that they must be ready to confront the emerging challenges in the country, safeguard the sovereignty of Uganda and ensure that they hold high the professional integrity of the UPDF.

“The State greatly appreciates your work. Work is not easy and that comes with great responsibility.

The army nurtured you, mentored you and today the army has offered you yet another opportunity and chance to return the favour. I, therefore, urge you to embrace this opportunity with open arms, and to do so with a big commitment to the nation with all the energy, strength and determination of a general,” he said.

Okello added that at the level of a general, the army requires the mind more than the body.

“The UPDF has always been distinguished by the high level of professionalism and I hope that you will continue performing your duties according to the same principles of professionalism by committing yourselves to defend values,” he said, noting that they should be ready to defend the country in light of the emerging challenges.

The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. David Muhoozi; the Deputy CDF, Lt. Gen. Wilson Mbadi Mbasu; the head of the army’s National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), Maj. Gen. James Mugira; the chief of the Air Force, Lt. Gen. Charles Lutaaya, and the defence attaché to Tanzania, Maj. Gen. Steven Kashaka, were some of the top UPDF officials who were decorated.

The 40 selected officers, Muhoozi said, represented the over 1,000 officers Museveni promoted to various ranks last week.

The commandant of the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi, Maj. Gen. David Kyomukama Kasura; the army’s representative in Saudi Arabia, Maj. Gen. Michael Ondoga; the defence attaché to DR Congo, Maj. Gen. Dick Prit Olum; the commander of the Mountain Brigade, Maj. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga; Maj. Gen. David Wakada and Maj. Gen. Octavius Butuuro, are the other officers who were decorated.

“Take seriously the added responsibility. The higher you climb, the higher the stakes,” Muhoozi told the officers, who he said, have diligently served the country.

Dick Olum thanked President Museveni for recognising their contribution.

“I am grateful that the commander-in-chief has recognised my contribution and service for the last 30 years,” Olum, who was promoted from brigadier to major general, said.

Joram Kagyezi, who was promoted from colonel to brigadier said: “I salute the President for remembering my long term service to the mighty UPDF and the country.”

The UPDF representative in Saudi Arabia, Maj. Gen. Ondoga, said he was grateful that the President had elevated him.

“I am very happy that the President has elevated me to the rank of major general. I want to thank God for our country Uganda. I want to use this opportunity to thank the President from the bottom of my heart for promoting me,” he said.

Unlike previous pipping ceremonies where soldiers dance and interact freely, this time around, the strict adherence to the standard operating procedures rolled out to curb the spread of COVID-19, meant no pomp that always characterises such ceremonies.

Accompanied by their spouses, the generals sat quietly in the tent and waited patiently for their names to be read out. They were grouped in clusters of six to avoid crowding on the podium. The cheers from friends as one walked to the podium to receive the pips, were also mild.

After the ceremony, the generals were treated to a luncheon.

Promotion procedure

Procedurally, the UPDF Commissions Board is charged with promoting and retiring of army officers.

According to the UPDF Act 2005, the board is charged with advising the President, who is the commander-in-chief, on the promotion of officers to different ranks in the defence forces.

The board also recommends officers to take promotional exams after the successful completion of requisite courses. After the officers complete those courses, they advise the President to promote those officers. The chief of defence forces or his deputy presides over the meeting of the commission's board.

If Museveni is to be promoted to the rank of field marshal, however, it is not clear whether this is the procedure that will be followed because he is the commander in chief.

Although he retired from the army in 2004 at the rank of general (four-star general), he remains the commander-in-chief of the UPDF. A field marshal is a five-star general.

Field Marshals in Africa

Globally, there are few officers at the rank of field marshal per country, with many African countries having none or one. However, Egypt has eight field marshals.

The officers were told to ready to confront the emerging challenges in the country and uphold high the professional integrity of the UPDF.