Complaining soldier is at rank of captain - UPDF
What you need to know:
- When contacted yesterday, Lt Obote, who claims he is still donning the military fatigue with the rank of a Lieutenant, denied receiving any information of the said promotion.
- "Other than complaining, the said officer should be celebrating. Congratulations once again Capt John Harrison Obote,” UPDF spokesperson, Richard Karemire
KAMPALA. The army has clarified that a government spy who complained on Thursday that he has never been promoted since 1991, is now at the rank of a captain.
Lt John Harrison Obote was promoted to the rank of captain last year according to Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
In a statement issued yesterday by the UPDF spokesperson, Brig Richard Karemire, Obote was promoted by President Museveni in November last year.
DON'T MISS:
Government spy asks Museveni to fulfil 24-year promises
Lt John Obote says he can hardly cater for his family using his meagre salary
“Upon cross checking, it has been established that on recommendation of the UPDF Promotions and Commissions board, the said officer was on November 21, 2017 among the officers promoted by the Commander-in-Chief ... to the rank of captain,” Brig Karemire said.
Asked whether the officers that were promoted in November had been decorated with their new rank pips, Brig Karemire said: “Long ago and they are already enjoying their salutes from their juniors.”
The soldier, who is attached to the Internal Security Organisation, said President Museveni in 1993 promised to promote him to a higher rank in the army after he successfully pinned the then rebel leader Moses Ali in the first treason case trial in Uganda in 1992. He was also promised a house, a lorry, education for children and unspecified amount of money.
After conviction, now a general, Moses Ali was pardoned by President Museveni and is now the First Deputy Prime Minister.
When contacted yesterday, Lt Obote, who claims he is still donning the military fatigue with the rank of a Lieutenant, denied receiving any information of the said promotion.
He also said he would reject the rank of Captain because his contribution to the country has not been rewarded, adding that he deserved being promoted to the level of Brigadier.
“Can anyone be promoted without knowing? If it is true that I was promoted, I will reject the rank. I am not going to put on the rank of a Captain because I passed that long time ago,” he said.
However, Brig Karemire said the soldier should prove to the UPDF board that he is worthy of promotion to a higher rank by availing certificates of the course he has attained if any.
