Minister Oboth assures military officers on improved welfare

JINJA - Defence minister Jacob Marksons Oboth has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the welfare of military personnel, both in active service and retirement, continues to improve.

Speaking at the 20th graduation ceremony of the Senior Command and Staff College (SCSC) in Kimaka, Jinja, on June 27, 2025, Oboth stressed that the well-being of serving officers was a top priority.

He noted that, unlike in the past, when officers, many of them historicals, retired with meagre benefits, the system has since been revised to offer more meaningful retirement packages that acknowledge their sacrifices.

“We have about seven to eight surviving historicals, including President Yoweri Museveni, but all our freedom fighters used to retire with peanuts. This has now been revised to reflect their contributions,” Oboth said.

He added that even after retirement, officers remain central to the mandate of the Ministry of Defence, which continues to honour their service, sacrifice, dignity and tangible contribution to the country.

During the ceremony, Oboth paid tribute to President Museveni, who also serves as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, for his continued guidance and visionary leadership, which he described as a pillar of military professionalism and national socio-economic transformation.

According to the minister, Museveni’s leadership continues to inspire generations of officers to defend Uganda with dedication and distinction.

Oboth also praised the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government for recognising people from all walks of life, entrusting them with leadership positions based on merit and nationalism, unlike previous regimes, which he said prioritised tribal affiliations and family background.

From left Col. Lisu Mura from Tanzania defence force, Col. Jonas Sabushimike from Burundi and Col. Simeon Namwera from Malawi defence forces at the 20th graduation ceremony of the Senior Command and Staff College (SCSC)- Kimaka in Jinja on Friday. (Credit: Jackie Nambogga)

“Uganda is lucky to have Museveni, and I speak with emotion about this. I know this is a military function, but if it weren’t for the historicals, a mere Oboth from Tororo, a son of a nobody, would not be a Defence Minister. Only the NRM could make that possible,” he said.

Citing the autobiography of the SCSC Commandant Emeritus, Maj. Gen. George Igumba—Born to Win: From Bastardhood to Generalship—Oboth said Igumba’s journey mirrors his own. Without going into detail, he criticised past regimes for making appointments based on tribal ties and elite family backgrounds.

“If it were under those past governments, I would have failed the test, because my father was also a nobody. But under NRM, individuals are recognised and promoted, just like Igumba,” he added.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Michael Kabango, the college commandant, briefed the minister on the composition of the 52 graduating officers. Of these, 41 were from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), while the remaining were allied students: two each from Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Sudan, and one from Malawi, the newest country to join the programme.

Kabango said the 11-month course had not only equipped participants with advanced skills but also strengthened regional ties and networks, which they should continue to cherish throughout their careers.

He urged the graduates to ensure the knowledge and experiences gained during the training would energise their competencies for the future.

The graduation ceremony was attended by military officers from various partner institutions.