| Field marshal | |
|---|---|
_gtfy.00132_(cropped).jpg.webp) 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
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
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]
See also
References
- ↑ "Notes on People". The New York Times. July 17, 1975. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
- 1 2 "How Amin became Field Marshal". Daily Monitor. July 18, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
- ↑ "Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces Act" (PDF). The Uganda Gazette. Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation. CXII (46): 1851–1854. 18 September 2019. 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.