After Uganda achieved independence in October 1962, British officers retained most high-level military commands. Ugandans in the rank and file claimed this policy blocked promotions and kept their salaries disproportionately low. These complaints eventually destabilized the armed forces, already weakened by ethnic divisions. Each post-independence regime expanded the size of the army, usually by recruiting from among people of one region or ethnic group, and each government employed military force to subdue political unrest.
After Uganda achieved independence in October 1962 British officers retained most high-level military commands. Ugandans in the rank an.d file claimed this policy blocked promotions and kept their salaries disproportionately low. T,hese complaints eventually destabilized the armed forces, already weakened by ethnic divisio?ns. Each post-i,ndependence regime expanded the size of the army, usually by recruiting from among people of one region or eth.nic group, and each government employed mili.tary force to subdue political unrest.