By Frank Kamuntu
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni now says that the retirement of the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Generals should not be seen as redundancy.
In a statement after biding them farewell at State House Uganda on Thursday, Museveni said it should instead be seen as a transition from doing one thing to another.
The Ugandan President said they have served their country with distinction and it is now time for them to work for themselves.
“Their retirement should not be regarded as a redundancy but a mutation from one service to another,” Museveni said.
“In the past, they were working for the country only, but now they can work for themselves with the entandikwa (beginning) that the country they fought for has given them. I wish them success in the next phase of their lives,” Museveni said.
He commended the Generals for their contribution to the struggle to liberate Uganda.
Museveni added that their (Generals) stories also mirror the miraculous story of the NRA struggle.
“We fought for a just cause, combining the correctness of the strategy and the tactics, doing it correctly without making mistakes, always taking scientific steps, and avoiding anything adventurous,” he said
“I commend them for their long-time contribution to our struggle.”
President Museveni approved the retirement of 11 generals, including former Inspector General of Police Gen Kale Kayihura in early July 2023.
Other generals who retired are; Lt Gen James Nakibus Lakara, Maj Gen Samuel Wasswa Mutesasira, Maj Gen Joseph Arocha and Maj Gen David K Wakaalo.
At the rank of Brigadier General, there is Austine Kasatwooki Kamanyire, Stephen Oluka, Frank Katende Kyambadde, Emmanuel Kwihangana, Wilson Muhabuzi and Ham Atwoki Kaija.
This afternoon at State House, Entebbe, I was pleased to congratulate and send off in glory and dignity the retiring Generals from the UPDF. I commend them for their longtime contribution to our struggle.
The stories of these retiring Generals mirror the miraculous story of the… pic.twitter.com/Z2hzojJfy3
— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) August 31, 2023