The Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF) Chieftaincy of Pension and Gratuity (COPG) has kicked off a 20 day retirement documentation exercise which started at the 1st Division Headquarters in Kakiri Wakiso District, on June 1st.
The exercise to run in all UPDF Infantry Divisions is aimed at documenting and completing files for processing of retirement benefits and the exercise is targeting a total of 1115 retirees.
According to the Deputy Chief of Personnel and Administration Brig Emmy Mulindwa who is leading the Team, unlike the previous years where all retirees would assemble in Jinja, this time teams are moving to every infantry Division of UPDF.
“It is the first of its kind due to the health threat that has been posed by the spread of Coronavirus pandemic and the retirees couldn’t therefore gather in one place as is the norm” Brig Mulindwa said.
Brig Mulindwa thanked the retirees for the noble and patriotic job done and all their tireless efforts they gave in as they served the country.
He added that UPDF shall always remain grateful to their service and reminded them to keep safe from Coronavirus by observing the Ministry of Health guide lines and the directives of President Museveni Commander in Chief.
The retirees were also addressed by Col Kefa Nangeso, the Chief of Pensions and Gratuity who thanked the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs leadership for always giving the Department all the necessary support that has greatly helped execute the chieftaincy duties with ease.
Col Nangeso urged the retirees to always get back to UPDF whenever they have issues with their pension files.
“You are being retired but not being thrown out of the system UPDF doors are always open for your service” Col Nangeso said.
He explained that those with serious medical issues like mental illness will not be retired but rather rehabilitated and those retired with mismatch of names and legal related problems are given Legal aid through the Ministry of Defence Legal officials.
Col Nangeso also encouraged retirerees to keep connections with the Directorate of Veteran Affairs so that they benefit from the rehabilitation services of Ministry Of Defence and Veterans Affairs to enable them with successful continuity even after retirement.
The Commissioner Human Resource Management (CHRM) Mr. Cox Anguzu, while addressing the retirerees said that retirement is not a punishment or the end of life but a fact that service personnel must serve and retire at one time.
He added that the soldiers going home have served with honor; it has been a journey worthy celebrating.
“Watch your discipline especially the social life now that you are self commanded and immediately after retirement don’t get over excited and engage in non essential activities” Anguzu advised.
He reminded the retirees that although they were retiring, they are still in UPDF because they were now joining the Reserve Force and anytime can be recalled.
Present to grace the exercise were the Director Of records Brig Gen Ceasor Bahwezi, the Deputy COPG Lt Col Deborah Nayebare and other Senior UPDF officers of 1st Infantry Division.
