CDF Gen. Muhoozi hails retiring officers for service towards Uganda
Apr 22, 2024
"Our mission to have a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Uganda does not end because we stop wearing uniforms," said Gen. Muhoozi.
CDF Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba (L) waving to retiring officers at the ceremony held at Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs headquarters. (Courtesy Photos)
Charles Etukuri
Senior Writer @New Vision
___________________ CDF Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba giving his remarks at the retirement of senior officers
The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has praised retiring senior officers for their commitment to serving Uganda throughout their time of service in the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF).
“For Uganda, our fatherland, no sacrifice is too great. Officers and men have demonstrated the commitment to serve the country over decades and through countless operations,” Gen. Muhoozi said.
He made the remarks on Monday, April 22, 2024, at the retirement of 150 senior officers from the rank of Major to Colonel under Batch 13B at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala. They included 33 colonels, 78 lieutenant colonels, and 39 majors.
Gen. Muhoozi assured the retirees that the young Officers left behind serving in different operations like Operation Shujaa, Somalia, and Karamoja would carry forward the noble tradition and proudly follow in their footsteps as they continue to carry high the banner of the People’s Army.
Juxtaposing the army with monks and priests, Gen. Muhoozi said the army is not a job but a vocation and calling and urged the retiring officers to use the UPDF offices to notify the authorities about essential developments in the country because they remain open to them.
“You do not hear of a monk or a priest retiring, but they can step back from a full-time retirement because there is a life commitment to the church. Similarly, we are priests, and our church is in Uganda. Our mission to have a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Uganda does not end because we stop wearing uniforms. In civilian life, you remain our listening posts and ambassadors,” said Gen. Muhoozi.
On continued economic engagement, the CDF said that the UPDF will continue supporting veterans economically after retirement by expanding cooperation through the veteran SACCOS that are already giving a helping hand to the Chieftaincy of Welfare and Production.
The Deputy Joint Staff - Human Resource Management, Brig. Gen. Kaweesa Kigozi observed that retirement is an important milestone that one can use to throw themselves into their favourite hobby, start new adventures, and enjoy more time with family, among others.
“As we strive for the professionalisation of the Force, retirement of personnel is fundamental since it ensures a balance in having an effective Force. Retirement, therefore, is an institutional way of rejuvenating the forces by replacing seasoned and experienced guards with young guards. It allows smooth career progression, assures force continuity, ushers retirees life after the military and not only network with the civilian community but also invest their retirement package wisely when still capable,” said Brig. Gen. Kigozi.
Col Jafari Kasirivu, who spoke on behalf of the retiring officers, paid tribute and acknowledged the critical role played by the fallen heroes, both combatants, and civilians, in support of having paid the ultimate price of the people who are mutual as well as sympathising with the innocent souls that lost their lives to the brutal regimes.
He thanked the President and Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who led the liberation of Uganda, the UPDF leadership, and the people of Uganda for allowing them the opportunity to serve the nation in the military, especially when the country needed them most.
“Our achievements are yours, built on the foundation of new solicited ideas and shared commitment. As we retire, therefore, we carry forward the legacy of patriotism and service, having fulfilled the historical mission of our generation,” Col Kasirivu said.
He called upon his fellow retirees to use their packages carefully and wisely per the guidance during the retirement sensitisation and documentation exercise, adding that retirement comes with complications and costs.
Present at the function were Lt Gen. Samuel Okiding the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Commander of Land Forces Lt Gen. Kayanja Muhanga, Maj. Gen. Jack Bakasumba the Chief of Joint Staff, Commander Special Force Command Maj. Gen. David Mugisha, Commandant National Defence College Maj. Gen. Francis Okello, Under Secretary Finance and Administration Edith Buturo, senior Officers of the UPDF, and family members of the retiring Officers.
This is the third set of UPDF soldiers to retire within the last year after 11 UPDF generals including the former Inspector General of Police, Kale Kayihura, officially retired from the army in September last year.
Others include Lt Gen. James Nakibus Lakara, Maj. Gen. Samuel Wasswa Mutesasira, Maj. Gen. Joseph Arocha, Maj. Gen. David Wakaalo, Brig. Gen. Austine Kasatwooki Kamanyire, Brig. Gen. Stephen Oluka, Brig. Gen. Frank Katende Kyambadde, Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Kwihangana, Brig. Gen. Wilson Muhabuzi, and Brig. Gen. Ham Atwooki Kaija.
The generals joined other 99 Senior army officers from the rank of Major to Colonel who retired on August 25, 2023, at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters in Mbuya, making a total of 110 senior officers who have retired in the last 12 months.
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