The Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Huda Abason Oleru, has urged retiring officers to always prepare for life after the military.
She made these remarks on July 25, 2024, during the closure of the Retirement Sensitization and Documentation Exercise for Senior Officers under Batch 14 at the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy (NCOA) in Jinja.
“It is critical that retirees prepare for their transition into civilian life and ensure that they can reintegrate and resettle successfully,” Oleru said.
Minister Oleru expressed her deep gratitude to the retiring officers for their unwavering sacrifices and contributions to regional peace and security, particularly in the pacification efforts across the Great Lakes region and the Horn of Africa.
“The ministry is committed to facilitating skills training programs aimed at enhancing the retirees’ ability to adapt to civilian roles. The government is dedicated to ensuring your welfare,” she stated.
She outlined various initiatives, such as food and feed programs, legal aid clinics, and medical referrals, designed to support the transitioning officers.
Oleru further encouraged the retirees to engage actively in socio-economic transformation efforts led by Commander-in-Chief, President Museveni.
She urged them to leverage their trust and experience to become role models within their communities.
“Maintain your leadership skills and discipline; they are invaluable assets for community development,” she added.
Brigadier General Isaac Biryabarema, representing the Chief of Defence Forces, reiterated the importance of a positive outlook towards retirement.
He thanked the retirees for their service and assured them of ongoing support from the military.
“Approach your new chapter with caution, particularly regarding investments,” Brig. Gen. Biryabarema advised.
Brigadier General (Rtd) Emmanuel Musinguzi, Director of Veteran Affairs, also advised retirees to be mindful of their gratuity and health.
He encouraged them to engage in socio-economic activities and take pride in their retirement journey.
The event was attended by General and Senior Officers of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), along with officials and staff from the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs.
