The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has today launched the final phase of its Retirement Documentation Exercise for Batch 14 at the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy (NCOA) in Jinja, focused on junior officers from Lieutenant to Captain ranks.

Brig Gen Julius Biryabarema, Director of Compensation Pension and Gratuity (DCPG), expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) for its consistent support in guiding officers through the retirement process.

He encouraged retirees to view this transition as a fresh chapter, one that offers new opportunities to continue serving the nation in diverse capacities.

However, Brig Gen Biryabarema warned retirees of potential fraudsters seeking to exploit their hard-earned gratuities, advising them to stay alert and rely on a trusted support network for daily guidance.

He urged them to use this period to enhance existing skills, reassuring them of their entitlements, which include retirement packages, access to Army shops, military schools, and healthcare facilities. Retirement, he emphasised, marks a shift from active duty to the UPDF Reserve Force.

Colonel Kenneth Muheirwe, from the Joint Staff Human Resource Management office, commended the retirees for their steadfast service to Uganda and the African Union, highlighting their role in promoting peace across the continent. He underscored that retirement serves as a strategic initiative to foster organisational growth and prevent career stagnation within the UPDF.

Referencing Numbers 8:23-26 from the Bible, Col Muheirwe affirmed that retirement is a long-standing principle of service, urging retirees to welcome their new roles. He also celebrated the UPDF’s commitment to progressive human resource management, which now allows service members to retire while remaining in good health.

The ceremony included attendance by Lt Col Omasums Amanya, Deputy DCPG; Lt Col Kenneth Wabwire, Staff Officer Documentation; Harriet Nabunya, Assistant Commissioner of Planning in the Directorate of Veteran Affairs; personnel from the Veteran Legal Aid Clinic (VLAC); and other MODVA and Pension Directorate representatives.