Museveni retires Brig Gen Kamunwanire, four others from UPDF

Museveni with the retired Generals from UPDF.

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | President Yoweri Museveni has retired police’s Director for Human Resource Management, Brig Gen Jesse Kamunwanire, from Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).

Brig Gen Kamunwanire who was transferred to police in 2019 alongside three other senior military officers has been retired and left to continue with his services in the police.

Museveni has retired Brig Gen Kamunwanire with four other Generals who include Maj Gen Fred Ociti Toliti, Brig Gen Emmanuel Kyamuzigita Rwashande, Brig Gen Ssenkumba Eugene Ssebugwawo and Brig Gen Maximus Gumisiriza.

The latest retirement brings the number of UPDF Generals retired in less than a year to 18 and over 50 Colonels which has left many wondering why the massive exit of senior military personnel.

Museveni used the event to explain that he is now confident to retire the Generals and other senior military officers because he is sure they will not lead a miserable life since their salaries were increased and so their retirement packages.

According to Museveni, it was improper to retire any soldier whose life after the force service was not going to be well. Museveni said because of being not sure how ex-soldiers were going to leave life outside military institution, he decided to postpone retirements.

“I had postponed the retirement of the army people because of the low salaries we were having. That is why I even created a casualty unit at Mubende for the injured soldiers because I didn’t want soldiers who had worked for their country to retire with the small salaries that we are having and go and be destitute in the villages,” Museveni said.

It should be noted that UPDF raised monthly salaries of a four star General from 3.8 million shillings to 15 million shillings, Lieutenant General now earns 14 million shillings, Major General earns close to13 million shillings while Brigadier Generals and now bag over 10 million shillings.

In the financial 2024/2025, Pte soldiers’ salaries will be raised by a 100% same for corporals, Sergeants, Lieutenants and Captains. However, Museveni has cautioned the retiring soldiers regardless of their ranks to utilize their packages very well.

“I said no, let them stay until we get money to retire them well. Even the generals, that is why we postponed the retirement but now the packages are much better. You must use this money well,” Museveni explained.

Museveni added that retirees have served and contributed to the building of the Army and also the NRM regime which has been in power since 1986 has not disappointed the soldiers. “I want to congratulate you, the generals who are retiring. You were young people in 1979 and subsequently but believed in the vision of the NRM. Remember that time the NRM was like an underdog because it was not well known but people believed in it and joined,” Museveni said.

He added “You have seen the NRM has not let you down, it has built your capacity through training, officer cadet, platoon Commander courses, staff College, senior command, then some of you went to National Defence College and then some of you did academic courses at universities. The army has empowered you. You have supported the army, but it has also empowered you.”

Defence minister, Jacob Oboth-Oboth, extolled the retiring generals for their great sacrifice and contribution to Uganda. “For sure go with your heads high while knowing that those who wish Uganda well and those you have left behind will remain indebted to your selfless works of making Uganda a better place to live in for the current and future generations,” Oboth said.

Lt Gen Okiding, the Deputy Chief of Defense Forces (D/CDF), said it was a great achievement to see the senior officers retiring as professionals due to the capacity they got from the army.

“Your Excellency, this is part of your wider visionary leadership strategy which has brought us happiness and joy. In the past, the retirement in the army was anchored on the principle of running away but today we are happy our brothers who walked into the army are able to walk out of the army,” Lt Gen Okiding said.