Vituko Mitaani

The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) has promoted hundreds of its officers.

The promotions were announced yesterday by the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima.

This is the biggest number of soldiers to be promoted in years following reports of massive desertions in the army. Those promoted include officers who have been on the same rank for long.

At least 15 colonels have been promoted to brigadier, two lieutenant colonels are now colonels and 13 majors have been promoted to lieutenant colonel.

Hundreds of majors, lieutenant and second lieutenants have also been promoted.

The UPDF chief political commissar, Col. Felix Kulayigye, confirmed the promotions but denied the promotions are connected to the reports of increased desertions in the army because of poor pay.
The colonels promoted to brigadier include: Phinehas Katirima, Ramadan Kyamulesire, Wills Byarugaba, Steven Rwabantu and Diiba Ssentongo.

Col. Katirima, an army representative in Parliament is the UPDF chief of education and sports while Diiba heads the chieftaincy of civil-military relations.
Brig. Byarugaba is the chief of operations and training. Col. Kyamulesire is the chief of legal services. Most of these new brigadiers joined National Resistance Army (NRA), now UPDF in 1980 and have served in the military for more than two decades.

Poor pay
Poor pay in the military is said to be one of the cause of desertions.
Col. Kulayigye said most of those who desert are people who join the army with hope to make money.
The armed forces are among the poorly paid government workers with a private earning shs310, 000.

However, those serving in Somalia under the African Union earn a monthly allowance of $828 on top of their monthly salary.

But those fighting the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels in the Central African Republic do not get allowances despite the harsh conditions.