A Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) officer at the rank of Colonel, who saved President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the First Family during the National Resistance Army (NRA) liberation war, has cried out to the president to promote him to the rank of Brigadier General at least, because of the great job he did.
Col. Charles Barija, RO9937, who is currently temporarily disabled because he was shot in both legs in 1986 when the NRA was taking over Kampala, is pleading with Gen. Museveni, who is also the Commander-In-Chief of the UPDF, to remember him for the venerable services he offered the country during and after the bush war, such that he can retire from the army peacefully.
As a way of expressing his prayers to the President, Col. Barija, who is among the over 600 UPDF officers that were this week retired by Gen. Museveni, has since written a ‘Farewell Speech’ dated August 05, 2021, addressed to the UPDF High Command that include the; CLF Commander, Generals, Senior Officers, Officers and Men of the UPDF.
Col. Barija in his speech says that he joined the forces in 1979 from the then Kabamba Infantry School, under late Gen. James Kazini, where he was promoted to the rank of Corporal after performing excellently during training.
He was later posted to Bugolobi, in D Coy under the command of late Lt. Col. Bazilio Olala Okello.
Recalling how he saved President Museveni’s life and that of his family, Col. Barija contends that; “My first mission was to escort our beloved Mzee His Excellency Gen. Kaguta Museveni by then Vice Chairman Military Commission, I performed well.”
“My first operation I rescued his Excellency Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, his wife Mama Janet and the First Son Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba under the command of Lt. David Rubereza and 2Lt. Salim Saleh by then. People who rescued his Excellency and his family we are now 3 who are alive; Gen. Salim Saleh, Brigadier Mwesigwa Bitanuzire and myself,” Col. Barija reveals.
He continues that; “In 1981 after the election I went with his Excellency to start the liberation of 1986 and I have been with him up to now.”
Col. Barija’s retiring speech in part
In his ending remarks, Col. Barija, who details several missions he participated in during and after the NRA liberation war, reveals that he later served in other missions abroad, for instance in South Sudan and Garamba, DR.Congo, where he met Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and reminded him of the deadly mission that saved the First Family.
“Therefore I request to leave a word of wisdom to the UPDF family that I love most; please love and maintain the foundation of respect of one another that we started in 1981,” Baija says, adding that; “Don’t forget the people who started the UPDF and respect them because they did a great job that you’re enjoying now.”
Alluding to a biblical story, Barija compares himself to Mordecai (Esther 2:21), who saved king Hausauro from Haman but the king forgot him for a long time until after several years when he remembered his deeds and awarded him.
“Therefore I kindly request my beloved president whom I have been loyal to, to remember me and reward me with a Rank of Brigadier General so that I don’t use boda-boda while going home and I promise to keep discipline. Aluta Continua,” Barija concludes.
Col. Charles Barija’s retiring speech in part
How He Saved Museveni, First Family
According to sources, this is when president Museveni had been arrested at Kireka and detained for the whole day.
Then Saleh and rubereza mobilized the escorts and attacked the road block to rescue the then minister of defense Museveni
It is said while they travelled to Tanzania him (Charles and a one Maj Kakoko driver) and Barija shot at soldiers on the border Kakoko knocked the gate to pave way for entry.
After rescuing Museveni to Tanzania, He himself carried Muhoozi to cross the swamp where the car got stuck then Museveni carried one of the girls.
He fought several battles while in the service until when Lt.Gen Muhoozi found him in Garamba as a major with a battalion as they introduced themselves. Muhoozi asked him if he was the same guy and he told him yes.
Muhoozi acknowledged his service and asked him to go back to kampala and rest having fought for a long time.
