MILITARY

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged freshly-retired army officers to remain active post-retirement and create wealth for themselves.

“You have done army work. Now go and do something in the economy in these last years,” he said.

Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief of Uganda's army (UPDF) was speaking on Wednesday at a ceremony to retire 48 army generals at State House, Entebbe. 

The retiring army officers with family and friends at State House Entebbe

Former security minister Gen. Elly Tumwine, who died on Thursday last week at the age of 68, was to be part of this retiring group.

Tumwine, notably remembered for firing the first bullet that sparked off the five-year Bush War that brought Museveni to power, died in hospital on August 25 in Kenya's capital Nairobi.

He was laid to rest at his ancestral home Kazo district on Tuesday.

Also related: Gen. Tumwine was a dedicated cadre - Museveni

President Museveni poses for a group photo with the freshly retired army generals

Museveni thanked the officers for accepting to work under difficult situations with low or no pay to a stage when the system is able to support them unlike in previous armies where officers retired upon death.

“[For] the army of 1971, many Acholi and Langi officers were killed by the Idi Amin group, which was coming in. That was their retirement," he said.

"Now when you are retiring, the country you supported is now a bit more able to also support you."

Gen. David Sejusa (left) is among the officers who have retired from the army

The President offered them post-retirement tips.

“My advice to generals: Please, buy yourselves land and practise the four -acre model of agriculture and venture into coffee, fruits, pasture for animals (zero grazing), food, chicken and pigs in the backyard, fishing near the swamps, etc.” 

Among the notable army retirees include Gen. David Sejusa, former co-ordinator of Intelligence Services and Lt Gen. Andrew Gutti, former chairman of the General Court Martial.

Former court martial chairman Lt Gen. Andrew Gutti (left) has retired

Another is Lt. Gen. Proscovia Nalweyiso, Uganda’s most decorated female military officer, who is currently serving as special presidential advisor on defense and security. 

Over the years, Nalweyiso has served in several command and staff positions, including commanding a female wing of the National Resistance Army (NRA) in 1986. 

Many of these retirees were part of the 1986 NRA liberation group that brought the current regime into power over three decades ago.

Lt. Gen. Proscovia Nalweyiso (left) has hung up her illustrious military boots

On Tuesday, 267 senior officers at the rank of major to colonel were retired from the army at Bombo.

The latest retirees make up batch 12 of the 9,026 military officers that have been seen off since 2014.

Maj. Gen. George Igumba, the UPDF Chief of Personnel and Administration, informed the President the plan was to retire 2,539 personnel this time around, including 75 general officers, 429 senior officers, 275 junior officers and 1,760 militants.

But that the number was reduced tremendously to only 316 officers due to budgetary limitations. 

"The category of captain all the way to private were pushed to batch 13 in the financial year 2023/2024 when their salaries will have been enhanced as we were reassured by you, Your Excellency," said Igumba.

Brig. Gen. Bosco Omure was accompanied by his family

Brig. Gen. Senfuka and his family have a chat with Museveni

Museveni chats with Maj. Gen. Steven Kashaka and his family

Museveni talks to Brig General Rebecca Mpagi and her children

'Incredible strides'

As the most senior of them all, Gen. Sejusa led the retiring officers in paying tribute to President Museveni for providing leadership during the struggle, the army leadership and the people of Uganda, without which there wouldn't be peace. 

"I am proud to belong to NRA/UPDF, which has made incredible strides. I thank the people of Uganda from all regions for their sacrifices. We all know there was a phase in our struggle when our civilian population was the vanguard. They were our eyes, the ears, our protectors," said the 67-year-old.

"They fed us and this phase took a bigger part of 1981. 

"They gathered intelligence, they carried out reconnaissance missions for us to acquire small arms and so on. If we did not have the population on our side, then there would be no NRA/UPDF and certainly NRM," said Sejusa.

Gen. Sejusa hailed President Museveni's leadership

Sejusa said that however much a lot has been done, more has yet to be achieved to consolidate the victories and the mission to liberate Africa. 

"Therefore, continue training, take advantage of the opportunities being provided, make sure that you deepen your ideological horizons, but above all, love your nation and honour the people of Uganda always. They are special people for there's no greater honour than serving the people," said Sejusa.

He saluted the President for the opportunity to serve the people of Uganda and for the victories and achievements registered.

"We have shared a lot but we have served Uganda and I'm sure Uganda will prosper."

'Golden gesture'

The Chief of Defense Forces (CDF), Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi attended the ceremony.

He thanked the President for allowing the retiring officers to serve in various capacities and asked them to continue using their experience wherever they will go. 

CDF Gen. Wilson Mbadi addresses the officers

"Retirement is a golden gesture to release them when they are still energetic. So, general officers retiring today, don't just retire from UPDF. Have something to retire to so that you can keep mentally alert, physically fit and productive," urged Mbadi.

Others who attended the function included defense state minister Jacob Oboth Oboth, veteran affairs state minister Oleru Huda, and friends and families of the retiring officers. 

Defense state minister Jacob Oboth Oboth speaks during the ceremony