Field marshal (Uganda)
| Field marshal | |
|---|---|
_gtfy.00132_(cropped).jpg) Idi Amin as field marshal, October 1975 | |
| Country |  Uganda (Second Republic) |
| Service branch | Uganda Army |
| Rank group | General officer |
| Rank | Field marshal |
| Non-NATO rank | Five-star rank |
| Formation | 17 July 1975 |
| Next lower rank | General |
Field marshal was the highest rank in the military of Uganda, during the regime of Idi Amin.
History of the rank[edit]
On 17 July 1975, Idi Amin, President of Uganda and the commander-in-chief of the country's military at the time, the Uganda Army (UA), awarded himself the rank of field marshal.[1][2] Officially, the rank was given to Amin by the Defence Council (which he himself chaired). Amin was then decorated with the rank insignia by Maj. Gen. Mustafa Adrisi at a function held at the State House in the capital, Entebbe.[2]
Present status[edit]
Presently, the highest ranking individual in the current Ugandan military, the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) is President Yoweri Museveni, who uses the rank of general.[3] In 2021, there were calls by Defence Minister Charles Engola to promote Museveni to the rank of field marshal as well.[4] The UPDF announced that Museveni will be awarded the rank in the next promotions.[5][unreliable fringe source?]
See also[edit]
- Military history of Uganda
- Uganda Army (1962–1971)
- Uganda Army (1971–1980)
- Rank insignia of the Ugandan People's Defense Force
References[edit]
- ^ "Notes on People". The New York Times. July 17, 1975. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
- ^ a b "How Amin became Field Marshal". Daily Monitor. July 18, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
- ^ "Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces Act" (PDF). The Uganda Gazette. CXII (46). Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation: 1851–1854. 18 September 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 August 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
- ^ "Minister says Museveni should be promoted to Field Marshal". New Vision. May 6, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
- ^ Emmanuel Busingye (May 5, 2021). "UPDF to crown Museveni 'Field Marshal' in next promotion". Ekyooto Uganda. Retrieved September 25, 2021.