Government pays former Arrow Boys, Amuka militia sh24b
Feb 19, 2008
THE former auxiliary forces that included the Arrow boys in Teso and Amuka in Lango have been paid sh24.5b in salaries.
By Madinah Tebajjukira
THE former auxiliary forces that included the Arrow boys in Teso and Amuka in Lango have been paid sh24.5b in salaries.
The Minister of Defence, Dr. Crispus Kiyonga, yesterday told the parliamentary committee on defence and internal affairs that out of the sh24.5b allocated for sorting out the force’s salaries, sh15.6b had been spent on paying their arrears, while sh8.3b was used to clear food debts, medical supplies and clothing.
Kiyonga said, a balance of sh400m was still available to cater for the remaining ex-security personnel.
“More than 35,000 people have been paid. Given the nature of our work, we should be commended because we have paid more than 90%,†he told the committee chaired by Rose Namayanja (NRM).
The minister explained that 7,611 deserters had been paid in addition to 531 families whose relatives died and those injured while in service.
“As the president promised the affected families, we implemented the pledge by paying eight-month salary to each family. Of these families, 327 belong to the Arrow Boys and 204 belong to the Amuka,†he revealed.
Kiyonga dismissed reports that army paymasters used a different nominal roll during the payment exercise.
He challenged whoever was fuelling the rumour to produce evidence.
THE former auxiliary forces that included the Arrow boys in Teso and Amuka in Lango have been paid sh24.5b in salaries.
The Minister of Defence, Dr. Crispus Kiyonga, yesterday told the parliamentary committee on defence and internal affairs that out of the sh24.5b allocated for sorting out the force’s salaries, sh15.6b had been spent on paying their arrears, while sh8.3b was used to clear food debts, medical supplies and clothing.
Kiyonga said, a balance of sh400m was still available to cater for the remaining ex-security personnel.
“More than 35,000 people have been paid. Given the nature of our work, we should be commended because we have paid more than 90%,†he told the committee chaired by Rose Namayanja (NRM).
The minister explained that 7,611 deserters had been paid in addition to 531 families whose relatives died and those injured while in service.
“As the president promised the affected families, we implemented the pledge by paying eight-month salary to each family. Of these families, 327 belong to the Arrow Boys and 204 belong to the Amuka,†he revealed.
Kiyonga dismissed reports that army paymasters used a different nominal roll during the payment exercise.
He challenged whoever was fuelling the rumour to produce evidence.