NUP Still Strong, FDC’s Amuriat Shifts Blame on his Party’s Decline to In-House Conflicts.
May 12, 2026
Congratulations to His Excellency the President and All Ugandans
May 12, 2026
By Abraham Lincolns | Kampala
21 Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Generals are among the identified 1,800 senior UPDF officers set to retire in 2026 as the army began their documentation and transition preparations to relinquish their active service.
Among the senior loyal cadres is the Cabinet Minister in charge Works and Transport General Edward Katumba Wamala who is also a former Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) between May 2013 to January 2017 where he was promoted to a four-star General and later handed over the military leadership to Gen. David Muhoozi.
By the time of his retirement, Gen Katumba will have spent 46 years in military service, having first served in the Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA) before joining the National Resistance Army (NRA), now the UPDF, in 1986.romoted to a four-star General and later handed over the office to Gen. David Muhoozi.
The UPDF Directorate of Pension, Gratuity and Compensation recently commenced a retirement sensitisation and documentation exercise for Batch 16 (2026), aimed at preparing senior officers, men and women for transition from active military service to civilian life.
A total of 1,863 soldiers are expected to retire under the exercise, including Commander of the Reserve Force, Charles Otema Awany, former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Charles Angina, former Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence boss Abel Kandiho, former Deputy Inspector General of Police Tumusiime Katsigazi, and current Director of Citizenship and Immigration Control Apollo Kasiita Gowa.
Others lined up for retirement include former Joint Chief of Staff Leopold Kyanda, Brig Edson Muhanguzi, Brig Sam Omara, Brig Stephen Kashure and former CMI chief Brig Charles Bakahumura. Also set to exit active service are former CMI deputy chief Brig Charles Asiimwe Kahangire, Brig Fred Rugadya Akiiki, Col Okei Rukogota, Col Ba-Hoku Barigye and Col Gideon Katinda, who previously served as Judge Advocate for the General Court Martial.
Under the UPDF Conditions and Terms of Service, officers are expected to retire once they attain specific age limits without promotion to the next rank. For instance, it is unlawful for a captain or major aged 50 to remain in active service. A captain who fails to attain the rank of major by the age of 40 is expected to retire. Regulation 28 under Cap 307 of the terms of service outlines the age and promotion requirements for officers, although military sources say the UPDF has on several occasions retained officers beyond the prescribed limits.
Under the regulations, officers from the rank of lieutenant to captain can apply for early retirement at 40 years, while majors may retire at 45 years. Whereas Lieutenant colonels are eligible for retirement at 47 years, colonels retire at 51.from the rank of second lieutenant to general, an officer may apply for retirement after 14 years of service, while lower ranks become eligible after nine years.
