By KT Reporter
At least 107 Colonels and Lieutenant Colonels have been retired from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces –UPDF. The UPDF held the retirement function on Monday at Mbuya, where 24 Colonels and 83 Lieutenant Colonels were officially retired from the force.
UPDF’s Joint Staff Human Resource Management, Major General James Kinalwa, informed the retirees that the retirement is a deliberate part of the force’s personnel renewal strategy. “Retirement is an important milestone, not an end. It creates space for new adventures and for you to tell your story to future generations. In a professional army, it also makes room for younger, energetic personnel to take on the mantle of national defence,” Maj Gen Kinalwa said.
Other than the 107 Colonels, UPDF has also retired 42 Majors. All the retirees received a Certificate of Service on Monday in recognition of their enormous services to the country’s security and stability.
The most senior Colonels included Col Abdu Nasser, Col Justus Besisira, Col Bernard Tumwesigire, Lt Col Jamada Kasongo, Lt Col Suleiman Kizito and Lt Col Khalid Nasur Kamya. Maj Gen Kinalwa urged the Colonels and Majors not to sit idle, as they are now out of active military service, but to transition into better civilian roles.
“I urged you that as you leave military services today, make sure you transition into civilian life with the same courage and resolve that marked your military careers. Remember you have been prepared for this life and implement what you think is better for you,” Maj Gen Kinalwa said.
Col. Godfrey Kalyowa, who spoke on behalf of the retirees, expressed appreciation to President Museveni for his leadership, which has helped army officers and soldiers close the military chapter with dignity.
“We’re leaving today with a dignified milestone. In the past, retirement was feared, but today it is dignified. It is now a transition, not rejection. We return as ambassadors of discipline, integrity and prosperity,” Col Kalyowa said.
The Deputy Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Sam Okiding, said that in total, UPDF retired 149 army officers and appealed to them to invest their retirement packages wisely and continue serving as ambassadors of the force in civilian life.
“Be careful how you think. Your life is shaped by your thoughts. If you think wrongly, expect wrong results,” Lt Gen Okiding said. He represented CDF Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba and also congratulated the retirees for their distinguished service, describing the moment as historic.
Lt Gen Okiding assured retirees that UPDF has streamlined everything for officers out of active service, and it is no longer seen as a punishment or a mere chase. “Uniformed people today enjoy retirement, but in the past, it was often about being chased out. Now we celebrate comrades going home alive, with a package, after serving Uganda with courage, integrity, sacrifice and commitment,” Lt Gen Okiding said-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
