UPDF GENERALS RETIREMENT: Former Luwero bush warfighters, top generals, among other senior officers are set to be retired by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
According to sources within security, the retirement exercise is set to take place between April and July this year.
Some of the generals lined up for retirement were supposed to retire in 2019, but the army’s Commissions and Promotions Board decided to delay the retirement process, citing a raft of reasons, including the fact that some were still representing the institution in Parliament while others, the UPDF declined to retire them, for ‘political’ reasons.
Sources revealed to the Daily Express that bush war generals set to retire this year, include ex-coordinator of intelligence services Gen. David Sejusa, former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Gen. Kale Kayihura, Lt. Gen. Proscovia Nalweyiso, Maj. Gen. Joram Kakari Tumwine, Maj. Gen. Waswa Balikalege and UPDF MPs, Gen. Elly Tumwine (security minister), Gen. Ivan Koreta and Lt. Gen. Pecos Kuteesa.
Another UPDF MP, Brig. Felix Kulayigye, sources said, has been seconded to serve as the deputy Government spokesperson and deputy executive director of the Uganda Media Centre (UMC). If he is posted to the media centre, Kulayige will replace the late Col. Shaban Bantariza.
Koreta, Kuteesa, Tumwine and Kulayigye were not re-elected back to Parliament by the UPDF.
In January, the UPDF elected a new team of UPDF MPs, including the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. David Muhoozi.
Others include the deputy CDF, Lt. Gen. Wilson Mbadi, works minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, the commander of land forces Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu, the head of the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) Lt. Gen. James Mugira, the army’s political commissar Maj. Gen. Henry Matsiko, Col. Dr Victor Nekesa, Lt. Col. Charity Bainababo and Maj. Gen. Sam Kavuma.
UPDF Generals speak out
Sources privy to the retirement procedure revealed that the process of retiring army officers begins with documentation because the army has to process their pension to be ready at retirement.
“By now, those who have been allowed to retire are aware,” the source noted.
The source added that previously, retirees would be required to go to Gaddafi Army Barracks in Jinja from where they would submit their details.
“But this time, the team collecting the details will be moving to the respective units where the retirees are attached to collect their details to ensure that their pension is already in their bank accounts at the time of retirement,” noted the source.
When contacted, Nalweyiso said she was not aware of any retirement news and that she has not asked to be retired.
“No one has stopped me from leaving the army, but I will leave at the right time. Everybody retires according to their rank and when their time comes. I am a lieutenant general, and I will retire when my time comes,” she said.
Kulayigye, said he has not applied to retire because he has not yet clocked the retirement age. “I have not yet reached the retirement age, why would I ask to retire?” he wondered.
When asked whether he had applied to retire and whether his request had been honoured, Kuteesa responded: “Of what interest is that to you?”
When our reporter told him there was nothing much other than knowing, Kutesa retorted: “So, leave it, bye!”
On his part, when asked whether he had applied for retirement and whether he had been allowed, Kakari said: “Why are you asking?” A jovial Kakari added: “If you want that information, ask the army spokesperson, Brig. Flavia Byekwaso to give you information of those retiring including the generals, other senior officers and other ranks.”
When asked how many officers were set to retire, army spokesperson Brig. Flavia Byekwaso said: “Details are not yet out.”
Army officials, however, confirmed that in April, the UPDF will retire a number of officers. It is estimated that by the end of 2023, the army would have retired over 2,000 officers.
Early notice for retirement was issued in 2018 to soldiers that are eligible.
According to the UPDF lineup or retirement, the General Court Martial chief, Lt. Gen. Andrew Gutti is also set to retire next year.
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