Former Chief of Defence Forces and current Minister for Works and Transport, Edward Katumba Wamala, is among 21 generals scheduled to retire from active service in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
Gen Katumba will retire after 46 years in military service, having begun his career in the Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA) before joining the National Resistance Army (NRA), now the UPDF, in 1986.
The UPDF Directorate of Pension, Gratuity and Compensation recently launched a retirement sensitisation and documentation exercise for Batch 16 (2026), aimed at preparing senior officers, men and women for the transition from military duty to civilian life.
A total of 1,863 soldiers are expected to retire under the programme. Among the senior officers lined up for retirement are Commander of the Reserve Force Lt Gen Charles Otema Awany, former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Charles Angina, former Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) chief Maj Gen Abel Kandiho, former Deputy Inspector General of Police Lt Gen Tumusiime Katsigazi, and current Director of Citizenship and Immigration Control Maj Gen Apollo Kasiita Gowa.
Others due to leave active service include former Joint Chief of Staff Maj Gen Leopold Kyanda, Brig Edson Muhanguzi, Brig Sam Omara, Brig Stephen Kashure and former CMI chief Brig Charles Bakahumura.
Also set for retirement 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 of the General Court Martial.
Under the UPDF Conditions and Terms of Service, officers are required to retire upon reaching specific age limits if they have not attained promotion to the next rank.
For example, a captain or major who reaches the age of 50 cannot legally remain in active service, while a captain who fails to attain the rank of major by age 40 is expected to retire.
Regulation 28 under Cap 307 of the UPDF terms of service sets out the age and promotion requirements for officers, although military sources indicate that the army has on several occasions retained officers beyond the prescribed limits.
The regulations further provide that officers from the rank of lieutenant to captain may apply for early retirement at 40 years, while majors become eligible at 45 years. Lieutenant colonels qualify for retirement at 47 years, while colonels retire at 51.
From the rank of second lieutenant to general, an officer may apply for retirement after completing 14 years of service, while lower-ranking personnel become eligible after nine years.
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