Mbuya, Kampala — Seven senior generals of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have officially begun their retirement process after decades of dedicated service to Uganda and the wider region. The documentation exercise, held today at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) headquarters in Mbuya, marked a symbolic and procedural step towards their formal exit from active duty later this year.
Speaking during the event, the UPDF Chief of Joint Staff, Maj Gen Jack Bakasumba, praised the retiring generals for their outstanding contributions to military professionalism, leadership development, and regional peacebuilding efforts, particularly in conflict stabilization missions such as the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
“These leaders have made remarkable contributions to national and regional peace, especially through international missions such as those in Somalia,” he noted.
He emphasized that retirement is not only a personal milestone but also a structural necessity within the military, allowing new leaders to emerge while safeguarding institutional memory and continuity.
“There is a whole new kind of life ahead, full of experience, just waiting to happen. Some call it retirement, I call it bliss,” he said, quoting American biochemist Betty Sullivan.
Understanding Retirement in the UPDF
Retirement from the UPDF is a formal transition from active service to civilian life. It often includes documentation, counseling, and support services aimed at reintegrating officers into society while preserving the values and discipline that defined their military careers. Proposed amendments to the UPDF Act, 2005, aim to enhance retirees’ welfare, ensuring access to healthcare, disability compensation, and full burial honours where applicable.
Brig Gen James Kinalwa, in charge of Joint Staff Human Resource Management, encouraged the retiring generals to uphold the discipline and integrity that characterized their years of service, while remaining health-conscious and civically engaged in their new lives.
Profiles of the Retiring Generals
Lt Gen Peter Elwelu
A combat-hardened leader, Elwelu joined the army in 1987. He served as Deputy Chief of Defence Forces and previously commanded the Land Forces and the 2nd Division. He led Uganda’s first AMISOM contingent and commanded the controversial 2016 Kasese operation. His military education includes training in Tanzania.
Maj Gen Hudson Mukasa
A veteran of the 1983 NRA struggle, Mukasa held several diplomatic postings as Military Attaché in Kenya and Burundi and was Chief of Staff for the Reserve Forces. His service spanned operational command and strategic liaison roles.
Maj Gen Francis Ben Okello
Best known for his role as a former AMISOM Force Commander, Okello later headed the National Defence College – Uganda. A respected strategist, his career focused on defense policy, leadership training, and peacekeeping.
Maj Gen George Igumba
A seasoned officer and author of Born to Win, Igumba served as Commandant of the Uganda Senior Command and Staff College and UPDF’s Chief of Personnel and Administration. He is celebrated for professionalizing the human resource aspect of the military.
Brig Gen John Byuma
Byuma played significant roles in national development programs like Operation Wealth Creation. Known for community-based approaches to security and productivity, he retires with a legacy of service rooted in transformation.
Brig Gen Dominic Twesigomwe
An expert in counterterrorism, Twesigomwe led the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force and later headed the National Counter Terrorism Centre. He also served in diplomatic capacities in South Sudan, contributing to regional security.
Brig Gen Augustine Kamyuka Kyazze
A logistics and engineering expert, Kyazze served as Deputy Chief of Logistics in the UPDF and led the armoured component of Uganda’s AMISOM deployment. He also commanded the Defence General Depot and held key logistics roles.
Final March with Honour
The retirement documentation exercise was attended by MODVA officials, legal advisors, and representatives from the Veterans Legal Aid Clinics, reflecting the government’s commitment to a dignified and structured transition process for the nation’s top military leaders.
As these seven generals prepare to hang up their uniforms, they do so with honour, leaving behind a legacy of courage, patriotism, and service to the nation.
