The Uganda People’s Defence Forces ‘UPDF’ Chieftaincy of Pension and Gratuity (COPG) has  kicked off a 20 day retirement documentation exercise at 1st Division headquarters in Kakiri Wakiso district.

The exercise to run in all UPDF Infantry Divisions is aimed at documenting and completing files for processing of retirement benefits.

The exercise is targeting a total of 1115 retirees.

Unlike the previous years where all retirees would assemble in Jinja, this time teams are moving to every infantry Division of UPDF.

It is the first of it’s kind due to the health threat that has been posed by the spread of COVID 19 pandemic. The retirees couldn’t therefore gather in one place as is the norm.

The exercise team leader Brig Gen Emmy Mulindwa who is also the UPDF Deputy Chief of Personnel and Administration (DCPA), thanked the retirees for the noble job and all their tireless efforts they gave in as they served the country.

Brig Gen Mulindwa added that UPDF shall always remain grateful to their service. He reminded them to keep safe from COVID 19 by observing the Ministry of Health guide lines and the directives of the Commander in Chief.

Col Kefa Nangeso, the Chief of Pensions and Gratuity, thanked the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs leadership for always giving the department all the necessary support that has greatly helped execute the chieftaincy duties with ease.

Col Kefa Nangeso urged the retirees to always get back to UPDF whenever they have issues with their pension files; as they have just retired but not thrown out of the system. “UPDF doors are always open for your service” he said.

Those with serious medical issues like mental illness are not retired but rather rehabilitated; additionally, those retired with mismatch of names and legal related problems are given Legal aid through MODVA legal officials.

Col Nangeso encouraged retirerees to keep connections with the Directorate of Veteran Affairs so that they benefit from the rehabilitation services of MODVA to enable them with successful continuity even after retirement.

The Commissioner Human Resource Management (CHRM) Mr Cox Anguzu, while addressing the retirerees said, “Retirement is not a punishment nor the end of life; it’s a fact that service personnel must serve and retire at one time”.
He added that the soldiers going home have served with honor, it has been a journey worthy celebrating. “Watch your discipline especially the social life now that you are self commanded. Immediately after retirement don’t get over excited and engage in non essential activities. You are still UPDF because now you are joining the Reserve Force”, he advised.

Present to grace the exercise were; the Director Of records Brig Gen Ceasor Bahwezi, the Deputy COPG Lt Col Deborah Nayebare, senior UPDF officers of 1Infantry Division among others.