Kampala, Uganda | August 7, 2025 – The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has announced the retirement of over 531 officers, including some of its most distinguished generals, marking a significant transition in the country’s military leadership.
Among the high-profile retirees are General Edward Katumba Wamala, Lieutenant General Charles Otema Awany, Lieutenant General Charles Angina, and Major General Leopold Kyanda, with the retirement ceremony scheduled for July 2026. This move is part of a multi-phase retirement plan aimed at streamlining the UPDF and adhering to its mandatory retirement age policies.
The retirement list, confirmed by the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA), includes prominent figures who have shaped Uganda’s military landscape over decades. General Katumba Wamala, the only serving four-star general in the UPDF, is a towering figure in Uganda’s military history. Born on November 19, 1956, in Bweeza, Kalangala District, Wamala joined the Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA) before transitioning to the National Resistance Army (NRA) in 1986. His illustrious career includes serving as Inspector General of Police (2001–2005), Commander of Land Forces (2005–2013), and Chief of Defence Forces (2013–2017). Currently, he serves as the Minister of Works and Transport, a position he has held since December 2019. Wamala’s contributions extend beyond the battlefield, with notable academic achievements, including a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy from Nkumba University and a Master of Science in Strategic Leadership from the United States Army War College.
Lieutenant General Charles Otema Awany, another key figure, has served as the General Officer Commanding the Reserve Force since 2017, following his promotion to Major General and appointment as Chief of Logistics and Engineering. His career highlights include significant roles in logistics and reserve force management, contributing to the UPDF’s operational readiness. Lt Gen Otema’s retirement marks the end of a career dedicated to strengthening Uganda’s military infrastructure.
Lieutenant General Charles Angina, who served as Deputy Chief of Defence Forces until 2017, is also among the retirees. Angina, reassigned to Deputy Commander of Operation Wealth Creation in 2017, has been instrumental in the UPDF’s efforts to support agricultural and economic development initiatives. His retirement, alongside other senior officers, reflects the UPDF’s commitment to refreshing its leadership cadre.
Major General Leopold Kyanda, born on January 1, 1970, has served as Joint Chief of Staff since June 2021, following roles as Chief of Staff of the Land Forces and Commander of the Presidential Guard Brigade (later Special Forces Command). Kyanda’s tenure as Military Attaché at the Ugandan Embassy in Washington, D.C., and his leadership in military intelligence highlight his diverse contributions to the UPDF. His retirement is seen as a significant loss to the force’s strategic leadership.
Other notable retirees include Major General Godfrey Katsigazi Tumusiime, Major General Henry Ndarubweine Masiko, Major General Apolo Kasiita Gowa, Major General Abel Kandiho, and several brigadiers, such as Edson Muhanguzi, Bekunda Besigye Cyrus, and Winston Byaruhanga. The cohort comprises five majors, 16 brigadiers, 28 colonels, 42 lieutenant colonels, 183 majors, and 254 captains, reflecting a broad spectrum of ranks and roles.
The UPDF’s retirement process adheres to the UPDF Act (2005), which mandates retirement at age 65 for generals and lieutenant generals and 62 for major generals. Major General Felix Kulaigye, MODVA spokesperson, described the retirements as a routine part of UPDF’s operations. “Retirement is part of the norm within UPDF. So, we wish our comrades the best as they retire,” Kulaigye told Eagle Online. The phased retirement plan, which began in 2017 and extends to 2024, has already seen over 2,000 officers retire, with notable figures like Generals Elly Tumwine, David Sejusa, and Kale Kayihura exiting in earlier phases.
The retirement of these generals has sparked discussions about the UPDF’s future leadership and its national character. Critics have long pointed to perceived regional imbalances in the military’s top ranks, with General Wamala being the only Muganda four-star general, a point he addresses in his memoir Endurance. Wamala attributes his rise to merit and grit, though he acknowledges the complex interplay of tribalism in Uganda’s military and political spheres. The predominance of generals from western Uganda has been a contentious issue, with some arguing it reflects favoritism, while the government insists promotions are merit-based.
The financial implications of the retirements are significant, with the MODVA requiring substantial funds for pensions and gratuity. In 2014, the ministry estimated a need for Shs5 trillion to cover retirement benefits for soldiers from various regimes. A four-star general’s monthly salary was reported at Shs2 million, underscoring the high cost of retiring senior officers. Despite these challenges, the UPDF maintains that retirees remain part of the Reserve Force, bound by military conduct and subject to recall if needed.
President Yoweri Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief, has praised retiring officers for their contributions to Uganda’s stability. In a 2023 send-off ceremony, he commended the “miraculous story” of the UPDF’s evolution from the NRA, crediting retirees for their role in fostering peace. Recent retirement ceremonies, such as those for 179 junior officers in Bombo and 133 soldiers in Kakiri, highlight the UPDF’s ongoing commitment to honoring its personnel while transitioning them to civilian life. Commanders like Lieutenant General Kayanja Muhanga have urged retirees to support government initiatives and maintain discipline as community ambassadors.
As the UPDF prepares for the July 2026 ceremony, the retirements signal a new chapter for the force. The departure of seasoned leaders like Wamala, Otema, and Kyanda opens opportunities for younger officers to rise, with figures like General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the current Chief of Defence Forces, emphasizing anti-corruption and welfare improvements. The UPDF remains a cornerstone of Uganda’s nationhood, and these retirements underscore its efforts to balance tradition with modernization while addressing financial and structural challenges.
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