Army retires over 500 soldiers

Luweero.

The UPDF yesterday flagged off 503 soldiers in its various units, including Airforce, Lands, Special Forces, among others, as part of their annual programme to retire eligible officers and men from the Force.

Speaking at the military headquarters in Bombo, Luweero District, yesterday, Gen Katumba Wamala, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), warned the retirees against being taken advantage of by politicians.

“I know that very many people are waiting for you out there for various reasons. Some will offer business ideas and others want to use you to gain political advantage,” Gen Wamala said.
“Please listen to them and get to know them but do not let them use you to spoil what you have put in place,” he added.

More than 300 men and officers were retired in Bombo. Army divisions in Mbarara, Gulu, Moroto and Entebbe airforce units carried out similar ceremonies to retire soldiers totalling to 503.
Those retired included officers at the ranks of Colonel, Major, Captain and Lieutenant, among others.

This is the first batch of the shortlisted 1,728 soldiers to retire from the army. The rest will be retired systematically.

Gen Wamala also encouraged the pensioners to take up small leadership positions in their respective villages.

“Some of you have been commanders and people will be using you as a point of reference. I encourage you to remain relevant and serve the country even in small government positions,” he said.

The CDF, however, appealed to the retired officers to defend the institution instead of talking ill of it.

“Most of you have spent much of your productive life in the Force and it has shaped your character. You should keep defending the institution and not throw mud at it,” Gen Wamala said.

He also told the officers that government had made arrangements to tap into their expertise through other non-militaristic ventures.