Museveni Greenlights Retirement of Gen Kale Kayihura and 109 UPDF Officers

In a recent development, President Yoweri Museveni has granted approval for the retirement of 110 officers and senior officers from active service in the Ugandan army, as confirmed by UPDF spokesperson Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye in a statement on Monday afternoon.

The list of retiring officers comprises 11 Generals and 99 Senior Officers ranging from the rank of Major to Colonel. Notable figures among those set to retire on August 31, 2023, in batch 13A include Gen Kale Kayihura, Lt Gen James Nakibus Lakara, Maj Gen Samuel Wasswa Mutesasira, Maj Gen Joseph Arocha, Maj Gen David K Wakaalo, Brig Gen Austine Kasatwooki Kamanyire, and Brig Gen Stephen Oluka, among others. Additionally, batch 13B will accommodate other retiring officers.

The retirement approval has significant implications for Gen Kayihura, as the charges against him in the army court have been dropped, making him one of the 11 generals retiring from the army next month.

Gen Kayihura, 67, had faced charges of allegedly providing arms to unauthorized individuals, including members of Boda Boda 2010 led by Abdallah Kitatta, between 2010 and 2018. The army also accused him of involvement in the kidnapping and repatriation of Rwandan exiles, refugees, and Ugandan citizens to Rwanda between 2012 and 2016, all of which he denied. These charges were brought against him shortly after he was relieved of his position as Inspector General of Police.

During the 2021 general election campaigns, leaders from the NRM in Kisoro district, Gen Kayihura’s hometown, requested President Museveni to pardon him and consider redeployment. In response, the president expressed his willingness to look into the matter.

Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the First Son and Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, also visited Kisoro recently and took a picture with Gen Kayihura while pleading with President Museveni to pardon and “rehabilitate” him.

However, with the ongoing court-martial proceedings, it remains uncertain what the future holds for Gen Kayihura between now and the official retirement date.