President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who is also the Commander in Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has advised the retiring senior army officers to invest their retirement package wisely.
“This retirement, do not regard it as becoming redundant now, no, not at all. This is like a mutation; from one form of service to another one and that is why we had to hold on to retirement until we had solved the problem of package and I can assure you that what you are going with is considerable. That is why last year I permitted the retirement of generals and that is why for a long time we did not permit the retirement of casualties at Mubende. We said they should stay until we give them a good retirement package to make sure that their lives in the villages are good. Now this package that you have got is really good,” President Museveni said.
Gen Museveni made the appeal today at State House Entebbe as officially retired 11 army Generals. The generals join other 99 senior army officers from the rank of Major to Colonel who retired on August 25, at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters in Mbuya, making a total of 110 senior officers who have retired this year.
The 11 generals include; former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Gen Kale Kayihura, Lt Gen James Nakibus Lakara, Maj Gen Samuel Wasswa Mutesasira, Maj Gen Joseph Arocha, and Maj Gen David Wakaalo.
Others are; Brig Austine Kasatwooki Kamanyire, Brig Stephen Oluka, Brig Frank Katende Kyambadde, Brig Emmanuel Kwihangana, Brig Wilson Muhabuzi and Brig Ham Atwooki Kaija.
The President advised the retirees not to misuse their retirement package by investing in ambitious projects like building schools and hotels.
“You should do something small which you are sure of. Like a man called Nyakana in the Fort Portal area. He has listened to our message and with 1.2 acres of land, he earns over Shs240 million in a year from eight cows of milk and poultry eggs so if you can get 5 acres, this is a lot of land that can help you to get a lot of income. If you invest in food production, you cannot go wrong. You see when we got Corona, things like tourism collapsed but eating never collapsed,” he emphasized.
“Apart from anchoring your future using the retirement package, you just sit down and become local councilors of the local people, they will come to you and advise them on what they can do for themselves to improve their household incomes. You are now going to become a new commissar and officer in a wider population. People will come to you, but they will come to you when you are stable.”
On the other hand, President Museveni lauded the retirees for belonging to a glorious army like UPDF and for making their own contribution to the development of Uganda.
“The strong revolutionary force that we built did not only rescue Uganda but somehow contributed to some situations in the region of the Great Lakes. Therefore, I really congratulate you for belonging to such a glorious force and making your own contribution to it because it solved very many problems for our people. When you look at our economy now, it’s a totally different story from what it was in 1986 and even different from what is happening in the world. Even today, even if you compare it to the whole world, you can see the difference. When you look at inflation, it is 3.9 percent in Uganda but in many countries, the world inflation is very high. People don’t have food in many parts of the world, and this is due to the mistakes made by the leaders.”
The Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Jacob Oboth Oboth thanked President Museveni for his great leadership that has made UPDF a force to reckon with.
“I also congratulate the retiring generals for the successful military service spanning over years and for retiring honourably. You leave behind a tremendous legacy, not just for the accomplishments of the UPDF but also for cadres of astute character. You have successfully led and mentored others and fostered many relationships that will stay with you long after you begin the new chapter of your life. I know that you are retiring with goals that are not yet accomplished given the complexity of the world in which we live. The work will never be finished but you are passing the mantle, knowing that you have made positive changes directly impacting on the wellness and operational effectiveness of the mighty UPDF,” he said.
The Chief of Defence Forces General Wilson Mbasu Mbadi thanked the President for hosting and blessing the retirement ceremony. Gen Mbadi also congratulated the retiring generals for successfully reaching the final stage of their careers.
Gen Mbadi further thanked the President for the enhanced emoluments for the retiring generals which have settled their hearts. “We therefore want to thank you for the enhanced emoluments which have cured the fear of the unknown and the reluctance for retiring,” Gen Mbadi said.
Gen Kale Kayihura who spoke on behalf of other retiring generals expressed his gratitude to the President, general court-martial, and other authorities in the UPDF for finally freeing him of all the charges. “I am the happiest human being on earth now,” Gen Kale noted.
Gen Kale said that after a long term of service and the achievements the UPDF had made it was the right time for them to retire and let the young and energetic soldiers take on the mantle of leadership. “Today the Country is peaceful, secure, and stable, unlike our times when we joined when there was duka duka,” Gen Kale said.
He also congratulated President Museveni and the First Lady for reaching their Golden Jubilee Anniversary of marriage.