Gen. Muhoozi Credits Retiring Officers for Strong UPDF Foundation

What the report says

KAMPALA — Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has praised retiring senior officers of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces for what he described as years of distinguished service, sacrifice and leadership. The remarks were made during a retirement ceremony at the UPDF Joint Services Headquarters in Mbuya, according to Watchdog Uganda.

The event covered 222 officers in Batch 16, including colonels, lieutenant colonels and majors. Gen. Muhoozi said their loyalty and discipline helped build the military’s current standing and contributed to its evolution from a liberation movement into a more professional defence force. He also said the army must keep adapting to new security pressures, including terrorism, cyber threats and climate-related emergencies.

In his address, the CDF encouraged the retirees to view retirement as a new phase of public service rather than an end to their contribution. He urged them to mentor younger people, support peace and development in their communities, and handle their retirement benefits carefully. He also thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the government for supporting the modernization of the armed forces.

The ceremony also acknowledged the role of families, with Gen. Muhoozi noting that spouses and children often bear the strain of military life. More broadly, the remarks reflect the UPDF’s ongoing effort to emphasize professionalism, discipline and modernization as it transitions senior personnel out of active service.