By Gad Masereka
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who doubles as the Commander In Chief (CIC) of the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) on Monday retired 19 Generals.
According to the UPDF’s mouth piece Brig.Richard Karemire, 19 generals have been cleared to retire this year and have been awarded certificates as a token of thanks for their contribution to the national army and their country Uganda.
Some of the General that have been retired include; Lt Gen. Joram Mugume, Lt. Gen. Ivan Koreta and Brig Gen Ramadan Kyamulesire, the longest-serving UPDF Chief of Legal Services; Maj Gen Timothy Sabiiti Mutebile, the Chief of UPDF Engineering and Construction; Brig Gen Charles Angulo Wacha, the UPDF Director of Human Rights; Brig Gen Sam Kakuru, the Deputy Chief of Personnel and Administration, Brig Gen Mathew Ssewankambo; Maj. Gen. Jimmy Wills Byarugaba; Maj. Gen. Sam Wasswa Mutesasira; Brig. Gen. Gyagenda Kibirango; Brig. Gen. Tom Tumuhairwe; Maj. Gen. Ambrose Musinguzi; Brig. Gen. Mulondo and Brig. Gen. John Mulindwa.
However, Spy Uganda has learnt that although former Inspector General of Police Gen. Edward Kalekezi Kayihura aka Kale and Gen. David Sejusa aka Tinyefunza, the former coordinator of intelligence services had expected to be retired too, this wasn’t the case as they didn’t appear on the list of retirees.
The army said the controversial military officers’ retirement would be considered in the future.
The UPDF spokesperson Brig. Richard Karemire confirmed Sejusa’s retirement plan is on but will not be executed this year.
“He has not been considered for retirement in this batch. In future, he could,” Karemire said.
According to the army’s retirement plan, Sejusa had been lined up for retirement this year alongside other senior military officers such as former Air Force commander, Maj. Gen. Sam Turyagyenda and the commander of the Army’s engineering brigade, Maj. Gen. Timothy Sabiiti Mutebile, among others.
Some of the retiring generals have already launched bids to run for political office ahead of the 2021 general elections.
Recently, Maj. Gen. Sabiiti Mutebile declared his intention to contest for Kabale municipality seat once he retires from the army.
