Newly promoted UPDF officers urged to fight against corruption

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NEWS– Newly promoted officers of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces have been urged to work together to fight against corruption.

The call was made by Lt Gen Sam Okiding, the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces while addressing addressing the newly promoted officers at the pipping ceremony at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Headquarters in Mbuya of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces.

Okiding emphasised that fighting corruption requires collective responsibility, stating that “It involves serious individuals like you. If we don’t fight it, we shall destroy ourselves. The destruction will start here within the UPDF before it affects the country and the region. Let us remove it—it is not good; it is letting us down,”. 

During the ceremony, two Colonels who were promoted to Brigadier General and 17 Lieutenant Colonels who were promoted to Colonel were decorated with their respective ranks.

Lt Gen Okiding noted the divine nature of the officers’ promotions, urging them to take on their new responsibilities with greater commitment. Quoting Isaiah 60:22, he added.

“Apart from enjoying and celebrating, also expect more responsibilities to be handled by you. I am confident and happy that you will manage it very well.”

On behalf of the promoted officers, Brig Gen Paul Wanyera Namawa, Chief of Staff – Special Force Command, thanked President Yoweri Museveni and the Commander-in-Chief for his leadership, reflecting on the UPDF’s transformation into a professional force.

He urged his fellow officers to embrace their new roles with a “renewed sense of purpose and commitment to serve our nation with pride,” encouraging them to lead with humility, integrity, and excellence, and to uphold the highest standards in all their actions.

Present at the ceremony were senior UPDF officials, including Maj Gen Jack Bakasumba, Chief of Joint Staff; Maj Gen Francis Okello, Commandant of the National Defence College – Uganda; and Maj Gen Henry Masiko, Joint Staff Political Commissariat; Chief of Staff UPDF Air Force, Brig Gen David Gonyi; Joint Staff Human Resource Management, Brig Gen James Kinalwa, Joint Staff Legal Services, Moses Wandera, Generals, spouses and family members of the promoted officers, other senior and junior officers.