| Field marshal | |
|---|---|
_gtfy.00132_(cropped).jpg) Amin as field marshal, October 1975 | |
| Country |  Uganda (Second Republic) |
| Service branch | Uganda Army |
| Rank group | General officer |
| Rank | Field marshal |
| Formation | 17 July 1975 |
| Abolished | 3 June 1979 |
| 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. 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.
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. In 2021, there were calls by Defence Minister Charles Engola to promote Museveni to the rank of field marshal as well. The UPDF announced that Museveni will be awarded the rank in the next promotions.
See also
- Military history of Uganda
- Uganda Army (1962–1971)
- Uganda Army (1971–1980)
- Rank insignia of the Ugandan People's Defense Force
References
- "Notes on People". The New York Times. 17 July 1975. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
- ^ "How Amin became Field Marshal". Daily Monitor. 18 July 2021. Retrieved 25 September 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. 6 May 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
- Emmanuel Busingye (5 May 2021). "UPDF to crown Museveni 'Field Marshal' in next promotion". Ekyooto Uganda. Retrieved 25 September 2021.