Army explains Gen. Sejusa's retirement delay

The Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) has explained why Gen. David Sejusa's retirement that was scheduled for July this year has been postponed.

The army says the controversial military officer's retirement will be considered in the future.

Speaking to New Vision, the UPDF spokesperson, Brig. Richard Karemire said, Sejusa aka Tinyefuza's retirement plan is on but will not be executed this year.

"He has not been considered for retirement in this batch. In future, he could," Karemire said.

According to the army's retirement plan, Sejusa, the ex-coordinator of intelligence services in the country, had been lined up for retirement this year alongside other senior military officers such as former Air Force commander, Maj. Gen. Sam Turyagyenda, UPDF representative in Parliament, Lt Gen. Ivan Koreta, Lt Gen. Joram Mugume and the commander of the Army's engineering brigade, Maj. Gen. Timothy Sabiiti Mutebile, among others.

Some of the retiring generals have already launched bids to run for political office ahead of the 2021 general elections.

Recently, Maj. Gen. Sabiiti Mutebile declared his intention to contest for Kabale municipality seat once he retires from the army.

Commenting on retiring officers joining politics, Karemire said: "Once one has formally retired, the decision to run for elective office is between the individual and his or her supporters. The UPDF, therefore, has no hand in such matter."

Other generals, whose retirement the UPDF would consider in "future" include, former Inspector General of Police, Gen. Kale Kayihura (2020), the force commander of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Lt Gen. Jim Owoyesigire (2020), the chairman of the UPDF General Court Martial, Lt Gen. Andrew Gutti (2021), the Presidential Advisor on the Army, Maj. Gen. Proscovia Nalweyiso (2021) and Lt Gen. Nakibus Lakara (2021).

In the next eight years, the UPDF will retire at least 2,175 officers.