Retired Gen David Sejusa has expressed disappointment over the Shs1.2 billion retirement package he received after serving 46 years in Uganda’s security services, dismissing claims that he was paid Shs10 billion upon retirement.
Sejusa made the revelation on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, while responding to a social media user who alleged that the former intelligence chief had received a Shs10 billion retirement package.
In a post on X, Sejusa said the amount he received was far below the figure being circulated.
“10bn, hahaha! Let me break my oath of not mentioning my personal things on X. My whole retirement package, pension etc, for 46 years of fighting for Uganda was 1.2bn… ONE… not TEN,” Sejusa wrote.
His remarks reflected disappointment over what he considered an inadequate package after decades of service to Uganda’s security establishment.
Sejusa explained that the Shs1.2 billion was a one-off payment, challenging anyone who doubted the figure to verify the records with the Ministries of Defence and Finance.
Sejusa questions benefits for retired soldiers
Beyond the amount he received, Sejusa raised concerns about the welfare of retired military officers, arguing that soldiers do not enjoy some of the benefits extended to senior civilian officials after retirement.
He said retired soldiers generally do not receive benefits such as medical insurance, vehicles, housing or furniture packages.
“No medical cover, no car, no house, no furniture, etc… like they give those civilian retirees/judges, Prime Minister, Vice,” he said.
Sejusa further claimed that some senior civilian retirees are facilitated to access medical treatment abroad, while retired military officers do not receive similar support.
He also noted that some soldiers who served alongside him for decades retired with significantly less than the amount he received.
A long and turbulent military career
Sejusa, one of the senior officers who emerged from the National Resistance Army (NRA) bush war, had one of the longest and most politically turbulent careers in Uganda’s security establishment.
He joined the armed struggle that brought President Yoweri Museveni to power in 1986 and eventually rose to the rank of four-star general.
Throughout his career, Sejusa held several senior positions, including serving as an army representative in Parliament, State Minister for Defence and Coordinator of Intelligence Services.
He also became a prominent figure in Uganda’s political and security debates, particularly following his disagreements with the government.
The long battle to retire
Sejusa first publicly sought retirement in 1996, but remained in active service for years.
His relationship with the government became increasingly strained in 2013 after he authored a controversial letter calling for investigations into alleged plans to eliminate senior military officers opposed to what was popularly referred to as the “Muhoozi Project.”
He later left Uganda for the United Kingdom before returning in December 2014.
Sejusa again applied for retirement that year. After the army failed to grant his request, he took the matter to court.
He argued that the military had stopped paying his salary and withdrawn several benefits, including uniforms, firearms, accommodation and transport allowances, while still refusing to formally discharge him.
In 2016, the High Court ruled in his favour, declaring that he had been constructively discharged. The court also awarded him Shs750 million in damages and ordered the payment of salary arrears and retirement benefits.
However, that ruling was later overturned.
In February 2022, the Court of Appeal ruled that the High Court did not have the authority to retire Sejusa, holding that the power belonged to the UPDF Commissions Board. The court consequently found that he remained a serving officer.
Retirement finally comes in 2022
Three months later, Sejusa signed his retirement documents at the UPDF headquarters in Mbuya, bringing an end to a decades-long struggle to formally leave military service.
His retirement officially took effect on August 31, 2022.
He was among 48 generals retired from active service under Batch 12 during a ceremony presided over by President Museveni at State House, Entebbe.
At the ceremony, Sejusa adopted a conciliatory tone, expressing pride in his service in the NRA and UPDF while thanking Ugandans for supporting the guerrilla movement during the bush war.
President Museveni, in his message to the retiring officers, advised them to invest their retirement benefits wisely rather than spend their savings recklessly.
Sejusa’s latest revelation has reignited debate about the adequacy of retirement packages and the long-term welfare of Uganda’s military officers compared with that of senior civilian officials.
