170 retired UPDF soldiers told to embrace farming

Retired UPDF soliders pose for a group photo with 4th division senior command officers upon their retirement. Photos by Arnest Tumwesige

Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) has retired more than 170 soldiers from 4th Division barracks in Gulu municipality with a call on them to embrace farming.

Brig. Emmanuel Kanyesigye, the 4th Division commander asked the retired soldiers' to engage in productive activities like farming that can generate them income.

A UPDF solider joins her retired colleagues in jubilation as they marched out of the quarter guard of the barracks.

Kanyesigye noted that people who only wait to earn salary without any other income generating activity are the poorest adding that joining civilian life is a gate way to doing lucrative business.

He cautioned them against retiring from UPDF and starting to blame it for their livelihood noting that it's time to work hard and accumulate material things that can be sold.

The commander congratulated them for the sacrifice they offered to fight for the peace in the country adding that it should be consolidated well.

"It's worth jubilating to retire alive. You are going back home vertically. Others have been taken back home horizontally," Brig. Kanyesigye added.
Among those that retired is Lt. Col Abubakar Aliku Yusuf who is now 64 years old.  Aliku joined armed forces in October 1971 and he's currently been attached to 409 Brigade in Yumbe.

He told New Vision that despite feeling physically weak, he plans to remain an advisor to his community so that they can embrace government programs that are meant to benefit them.

Similarly, Rt. Capt. Margret Acayo who has served for 22 years as a Senior Nursing officer promised to use her professional knowledge and her retirement benefits to set up a drug shop for herself.

Acayo who hails from Alokolum parish in Lamogi sub-county Amuru district thanked God for the hard times she went through more so while in Somalia where she sustained injuries.

Retired Lt. Alfred Ocaya, the chairperson of the veterans in Gulu district cautioned the retired officers to remain disciplined if they want succeed in the community they are going to.

He also cautioned them against wasteful expenditure on alcohol and women after getting their retirement benefits.

Retired Lt. Col receiving his certificate of service from Brig. Kanyesigye during the send off event at 4th division barracks in Gulu municipality

Ocaya also asked them to relevant to their families by supporting their wives to educate children but also desist from joining negative forces that are against the government.

The retired soldiers' who were in company of their spouses, relatives and children were seen off on Friday amidst ululation as they were being congratulated for the services done.