By Leonard Kamugisha Akida and Mercy Agumenaitwe,
KAMPALA:
The UPDF has announced that it will today send to retirement a total of 14 General officers, 604 senior and junior officers and men from the force.
According to the force’s spokesperson Brig Gen Flavia Byekwaso, the retirement ceremony for General officers will be held at state house Entebbe whereas the other retirees will be in their respective service headquarters, formations and units.
Brig Gen Byekwaso said the retiring officers exhibited commitment and sacrifice during their course of service.
“The Ministry of Defence and UPDF recognize their commitment, sacrifice, selflessness and dedication to offering security service to the country at a time where many shunned joining the liberation struggle in favour of maintain the status quo,” she said.
Brig Gen Byekwaso didn’t disclose the names of retiring officers.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is expected to preside over the retiring ceremony at State House Entebbe.
Anonymous sources in the force has told Parrots UG that Gen Ivan Koreta, (Maj Gen) Pecos Kutesa, Robert Rusoke, IG Oula, MW Ssentongo, CM Kazoora, F Mugisha; (Brig Gen) F Kanyarutokye, J Asiimwe, J A Kasaija, M Abiriga, M S Lukyamuzi; Lt Gen JB Owoyesigyire, are expected to retire at State House Entebbe while ROV 0033 Col (Rtd) Charles Barija is among those retiring today at Bombo Land Forces headquarters among others.
According to UPDF Conditions and Terms of Service, it is illegal to keep army officers in active service once they clock a certain age but are not promoted to the next rank.
For example, it’s illegal to have an officer at the rank of captain or major, aged 50, in active service. At the age of 40, if a captain is not promoted to major, the army must retire the officer.
Regulation 28, Cap 307 of the terms of service specifies at which age an officer should be promoted to another rank if not be retired from the service but according to army sources, the UPDF continues to flout section of its own regulations.
From the rank of Lieutenant to Captain, one can apply for early retirement at 40 years, while a Major can leave service at 45.
A Lieutenant Colonel in the UPDF can retire at 47, while a Colonel’s retirement age is 51.
From the rank of 2nd Lieutenant to General, an officer can rightly apply for retirement after 14 years of service, while the lower ranks can retire after nine years
