By Spy Uganda
For 222 senior Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) officers, Wednesday marked more than the end of their military careers. It marked the beginning of a new chapter in which their years of experience are expected to continue serving the country beyond the barracks.
The officers, comprising colonels, lieutenant colonels and majors under Batch 16, formally retired from active service during a ceremony held at the UPDF Joint Services Headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala.
Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba used the occasion to remind the retirees that leaving the military does not mean leaving national service behind.
He urged them to use the discipline, leadership and experience gained during their careers to contribute to communities through mentorship, leadership and development initiatives.
“I encourage you to see this not as the end of service, but as a new phase in your contributions to the country,” Kainerugaba said.
The CDF also used the retirement ceremony to highlight the changing security environment facing Uganda and the need for the military to remain ahead of emerging threats.
He said the UPDF must continue modernising and embracing innovation as threats such as terrorism, cybercrime and climate-related disasters become increasingly complex.
Kainerugaba called for stronger joint operations, improved technological capabilities and high standards of discipline, accountability and operational readiness.
His remarks come as Uganda continues to maintain military deployments in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia, while the wider East African region grapples with conflicts and instability, including the M23 conflict in eastern Congo, the war in Sudan and insecurity in South Sudan.
The CDF said these developments demonstrate the importance of maintaining a force capable of responding to both conventional and emerging security challenges.
Beyond security matters, Kainerugaba urged the retiring officers to approach their transition carefully, particularly in managing their retirement benefits.
He advised them to plan for the future, invest prudently and maintain financial discipline to safeguard their welfare after active service.
He also recognised the contribution of military families, noting the sacrifices they make while supporting personnel who often spend long periods away from home because of their duties.
Kainerugaba commended the government under President Yoweri Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief, for its role in financing and restructuring the armed forces.
Representing the retirees, Col. Kajungu Rutiinampora, the most senior officer in the group, said they would remain committed to serving the country through civil-military cooperation and community activities.
The ceremony brought together senior UPDF leadership, including Deputy CDF Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding, Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Charles Okidi and Special Forces Command Commander Maj. Gen. Asaph Mweteise.
The retirees later marched out of the Mbuya headquarters, bringing their active military careers to a formal close while opening a new phase of service to Uganda beyond the uniform.
