President Yoweri Museveni has advised the retired Army generals not to be redundant in their communities because retirement is like a mutation from one form of service to another.
This according to President is why they for a long time have not permitted the retirement of casualties at Mubende.
“We said these should stay until we give them a good retirement package to make sure that their lives in the villages are good. Now, this package you have got is really good.” President Museveni said.
Museveni made urge on Thursday at State House Entebbe while officially retiring 11 army Generals.
These generals join other 99 Senior army officers from the rank of Major to Colonel who retired on 25th August at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters in Mbuya, making a total of 110 senior officers who have retired this year.
The 11 generals included 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 also included Brig Gen. Austine KasatwookiKamanyire, Brig Gen. Stephen Oluka, Brig Gen. Frank Katende Kyambadde, Brig Gen. Emmanuel Kwihangana, Brig Gen. Wilson Muhabuzi and Brig Gen. Ham Atwooki Kaija.
The President also advised the retirees not to misuse their retirement package but instead invest it in ambitious projects like building schools and hotels.
“You should do something small which you are sure of, if you can get like 5 acres, it’s a lot of land that can help you generate 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 counselors 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.” He added.
Museveni further 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” he asserted.
In his remarks, Hon. Jacob Oboth Oboth the Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs, congratulated the retiring generals for the successful military service and thanked President Museveni for making UPDF a force to reckon with.
“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” he noted.
On his part, General Wilson Mbasu Mbadi The Chief of Defence Forces 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.
“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.
Gen. Kale further noted 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 dukaduka.” Gen. Kale said.
The send-off ceremony was also attended by the Minister of State for Veteran Affairs, Hon.Huda Oleru Abason, and the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Permanent Sectary, Ms. Rosettie Byengoma, among others.