President Museveni presides over retirement ceremony of 19 UPDF generals
The 19 Generals retired from the UPDF on Thursday after decades of service, with President Yoweri Museveni urging them to invest wisely, remain committed to their families and communities, and use their military experience to continue serving the country.
President Yoweri Museveni poses for a group photo with the retired generals with their family members at State House Entebbe August 20, 2026. (PPU)
___________________ President Yoweri Museveni. (PPU)
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), on Thursday (August 20) presided over the retirement ceremony of 19 army Generals at State House, Entebbe.
In his address, President Museveni congratulated the retiring officers for their contribution to the UPDF and commended them for upholding the values of the force throughout their careers, particularly discipline, patriotism, integrity and commitment to duty.
“The UPDF and NRM have been able to build security. I congratulate the Generals for the great contribution to the UPDF", President Museveni said.
The Commander in Chief advised the retirees to invest in secure avenues such as treasury bonds, which he said could generate returns without requiring active involvement.
“If you can put sh600 million and you are getting 15 percent, by the end of the year that is sh90 million profit,” he advised.
The President, according to a release from the Presidential Press Unit, also cautioned the retiring officers against rushing into ventures that require huge capital. Instead, he rooted for investment options that can generate steady returns.
He also encouraged the retirees who already own land to consider goat rearing, noting that goats have a ready market, reproduce quickly and do not require expensive artificial feeds.
He also encouraged the retiring officers to place their savings in fixed accounts and use the proceeds to finance other projects, including fish farming and rental housing.
President Museveni also urged the retirees to remain committed to their families and communities and to use the experience gained during their military careers to continue supporting society.
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The retiring officers include: Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, Lt Gen. Charles Otema Awany, Lt Gen. Charles Angina, Maj. Gen. Abel Kandiho, Maj. Gen. Geoffrey Tumusiime Katsigazi, Maj. Gen. Apollo Kasiita Gowa and Maj. Gen. Leopold Kyanda.
The Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding, remarked that the retiring officers had made significant contributions to the transformation of the UPDF and the maintenance of peace and security through their discipline and commitment to duty.
On behalf of the retiring officers, Gen. Katumba Wamala said they were handing over a disciplined and respected institution built through sacrifice.
Gen. Katumba Wamala. (PPU)
To the UPDF commanders, he said, “We are handing to you a well-disciplined and respected institution built through sacrifice. Protect this legacy by upholding patriotism, professionalism and integrity and, importantly, respect the civilian population. Our umbilical cord connects between the UPDF and the civilian population. Please guard that and, of course, remain loyal to the Constitution,” he said.
The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, urged the retiring officers to continue serving the country even after leaving active military service, saying they would remain ambassadors of the UPDF.
The Minister also called upon the retirees to utilise the knowledge acquired through financial management training to become ambassadors of wealth creation.
He congratulated the senior officers on reaching the milestone and wished them success in their retirement.
The retiring officers have served in various command, operational, administrative and strategic positions, contributing to the development of the UPDF and the defence and security of Uganda.
The ceremony was also attended by the Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs (Defence), Hon. Akifeza Grace Ngabirano, and other UPDF officers.