The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has told retiring senior UPDF officers that military service should always be treated as a calling, implying that retiring doesn’t mean permanently quitting.
He made the remarks as he addressed senior UPDF officers between the rank of Major and Colonel who retired on Monday, April 22 at Mbuya Barracks in Kampala.
“You must already know that for some professions like ours, one never really retires. Being a soldier is not a job like other jobs, it is a vocation,” said Gen. Kainerugaba, adding: “It is a calling. You do not hear of a monk or a priest retiring… they can step back from full-time assignment… but theirs is a lifelong commitment to the church.”
He called upon the retirees to continue supporting the UPDF whenever the need arises.
“Similarly, we too, are priests and our church is Uganda. Our mission to have a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Uganda does not end because we stop wearing uniforms,” he said.
The CDF, who is also a senior presidential advisor on Special Operations, congratulated the officers for completing their service and being able to finish with clean records. “That is an achievement,” he said.
Re-echoing the sacrifices, UPDF soldiers make, Gen. Kainerugaba noted: “In our line of work we expect to be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice for our beloved country. For Uganda, our fatherland, no sacrifice is too great.”
He continued: “The officers and men of UPDF have demonstrated this commitment to serve the country over a decade through countless operations. The young soldiers and officers you are leaving behind, serving in operations in Sudan, in Somalia, Karamoja and other places are carrying forward this noble tradition. We are proud of them for following in our footsteps. For carrying the banner of the people’s army high.”
The General took some time to honour soldiers who passed while on duty.
“Today, we also remember the glorious comrades who died protecting Uganda from rebellions and terrorism,” he said. “May their memories live forever.”
The event was attended by the deputy CDF Lt Gen Sam Okiding, undersecretary finance Mrs Edith Buturo, Commander Land Forces Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, Commander SFC Maj Gen BD Mugisha and the Chief of Joint Staff Maj Gen Jack Bakasumba among other generals and other senior officers.
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