Jacqueline Kankunda, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Entebbe, expressed gratitude to President Museveni and the Commander in Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) for building an army anchored on discipline and ideological clarity.
She made this remark on September 6, 2023, during a dinner honouring the retired officers of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces-Air Forces (UPDF-AF) at the Air Force Headquarters in Entebbe.
She commended the Air Force for continuously supporting the Entebbe community whenever called upon.
The UPDF-AF defend the country’s airspace and provide support to the army’s operations.
Lt. Gen. Charles Okidi, Commander Air Force, urged the retired officers to guard themselves against the looming sharks, only waiting to devour their retirement packages.
According to Lt. Gen. Okidi, it is the Air Force’s tradition to send off retirees because their services are worthy of recognition.
Traditionally, Lt. Gen. Okidi said, the Air Force sends off retirees in recognition of their service.
“It’s our Air Force culture to send off our retirees because their service is worth recognising,” said Lt. Gen. Okidi.
He commended retirees for their selfless devotion to their country while holding a variety of leadership and command posts.
The commander of the UPDF Air Force also urged them to be cautious and mindful of life outside of the military and to plan and be ready for a decent transition into civilian life.
The retired officers included Brig. Gen. Kwehangana, Brig Kaija Atwooki, Maj Henry Nkalubo, and Maj Paddy Ankunda, among others.
Brig. Gen. Kwehangana, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs for providing the UPDF with a supportive atmosphere so that it could carefully carry out its obligations.
“Often, when you think you are at the end of something, you are at the beginning of something. We are never too old to start something new,” he observed.
The function was also attended by UPDF senior and junior officers serving at UPDF-AF headquarters in Entebbe.
