The Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu has urged the retiring Senior Officers to wisely utilize their time outside service with their loved ones. He made the remarks today at the retirement ceremony of 93 Senior Officers that was held at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Headquarters, Mbuya.
“Go, take care of yourself, and get ready for your future. Don’t go to the grave while your loved ones are cursing you since that’s where you’re going. Leave them well, prepare your family to bless you when you’re leaving this world and make sure they have decent accommodation, what to give them daily income, and medical care,” said Lt Gen Elwelu.
He commended retiring Senior Officers for their dedicated service to the country. “You joined the Army as a calling, sacrificed yourselves, your time and everything for years and committed yourselves for the sake of the country.”
Speaking on behalf of the retiring Officers, Colonel Christopher Bamanya thanked his colleagues for their enduring spirit of comradeship, dedication, and services that define the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces. “As we stand before you humbled and honoured, we find it a privilege and responsibility to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to our visionary leader, the chief of high command for trusting us to serve this great nation, the invaluable experiences, challenges, opportunities, that have shaped us into the people we are today,” Col Bamanya said.
Col Bamanya added, “We jointly express our gratitude to our families, our pillars of strength, your unwavering support, patience, and understanding have been the bedrock upon which we have built our military careers.”
The retiring officers included 17 Colonels, 13 Lieutenant Colonels and 63 Majors.
The function was graced by; the Commander Land Force Lt Gen Muhanga Kyanja, Chief of Production and Welfare Maj Gen Sam Kiwanuka, Commandant of NDC-U, Maj Gen Francis Okello, Service Chiefs of Staff, Service Chiefs and Senior Officers of the UPDF.
