Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has threatened to arrest recently retired Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) generals after videos of them dancing during their official send-off circulated online.
Muhoozi said the retired officers were being investigated for “dancing too much” during the ceremony held at State House, Entebbe, on August 20.
“We are investigating all the generals who were dancing too much. They will be arrested soon,” Muhoozi said in a post on X.
In another post, he questioned why the generals appeared to be celebrating their departure from active military service.
“They were dancing because they were happy to be free of UPDF?” he asked.
Muhoozi also said such conduct should not be repeated, writing: “I think from now on it’s forbidden for Generals to dance too much next to State House.”
The remarks came shortly after Muhoozi announced a new assignment for Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, one of the officers who retired during the ceremony.
“From today, I am appointing General Katumba Wamala as our envoy to the Middle East. His ministerial position is on halt. He will report to me from now on,” Muhoozi wrote.
He later appeared to link the appointment to Katumba’s dancing during the send-off.
“I saw General Katumba dancing a lot the other day. Maybe because he knew I was going to give him a job,” he said.
Katumba, a former UPDF Chief of Defence Forces, retired from active military service alongside 18 other general officers after decades of service. He currently serves as Uganda’s Minister for Public Service. Muhoozi did not provide details on the scope of the proposed Middle East envoy role or clarify how the assignment would affect Katumba’s ministerial position.
President Yoweri Museveni presided over the retirement ceremony at State House, Entebbe, where he commended the officers for their contribution to the UPDF and the country’s security.
The 19 retired generals included Gen Katumba Wamala, Lt Gen Charles Otema Awany, Lt Gen Charles Angina, Maj Gen Abel Kandiho, Maj Gen Geoffrey Tumusiime Katsigazi, Maj Gen Apollo Kasiita Gowa and Maj Gen Leopold Kyanda.
The group also comprised Brig Gen Edson Muhanguzi, Brig Gen Sam Omara, Brig Gen Fred Zakye, Brig Gen Fred Rugadya Akiiki, Brig Gen Mike Samuel Kisame, Brig Gen Patrick Mwesigye, Brig Gen Stephen Tumwesigye Kashure, Brig Gen Simon Nicholas Ocan, Brig Gen Metland K Bitumbika, Brig Gen Charles Bakahumura, Brig Gen Charles Asiimwe Kahangire and Brig Gen Cyril Mawa Muhindo.
The August 2026 retirement exercise saw a total of 1,817 UPDF personnel leave active service. The group comprised 19 general officers, 229 senior officers, 205 junior officers and 1,364 soldiers.
