At least 162 UPDF officers, including five generals, are set to retire from active service in the Ugandan army. The retirement sensitization and documentation process for senior officers under batch 13 B commenced this week at the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy (NCOA) in Jinja, as initiated by the UPDF Chieftaincy of Pension and Gratuity.
The upcoming retirees consist of 5 generals, 36 colonels, 82 lieutenant colonels, and 41 majors, with their official retirement date scheduled for April 30, 2024.
Among the generals set to retire are Maj Gen Fred Tolit, the former chairman of the General Court Martial and country’s defense advisor in South Africa; Brig Gen Eugene Ssebugwawo, the coordinator of Disaster Preparedness at the Office of the Prime Minister; Brig Emmanuel Rwashande, the UPDF Chief of Civil-Military Cooperation; Brig Gen Jessy Kamunanwire, the Police Human Resource Director; and Brig Max Gumisiriza, the former commandant of the peace support center in Ssingo.
During the commencement of the sensitization and documentation exercise, Deputy Chief of Personnel and Administration, Brig Godfrey Kawesa Kigozi, urged the retirees to approach this retirement phase diligently by adhering to their retirement plans and maintaining an active connection with their UPDF comrades. He emphasized that retirement is not a rejection from the forces but an opportunity to engage in other economic activities in a civilian capacity.
Brig Kigozi cautioned the retirees about the challenges of transitioning from a command position but encouraged them to abide by their respective community authorities. He also encouraged them to consider community leadership roles through Local Councils and Parliamentary Seats, provided they do not promote vices like sectarianism, segregation, and tribalism.
Col Deborah Nayebare, Deputy Chief of Pension and Gratuity, assured the retirees about the security of their pension remunerations, highlighting that the government has exempted them from any form of tax.
Col Robert Rutayinama, the Commandant of the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy in Jinja, congratulated the officers on reaching this milestone in their UPDF career journey. He encouraged the retirees to embrace retirement with positive emotions, viewing it not as a punishment but as a new chapter, and urged them to invest their hard-earned pension and gratuity wisely.
