UPDF warns veterans of imposters

Jul 09, 2019

“Many fraudsters are using our names to con you. They call you claiming they are us and that they are following on some of the missing details on your files. After they ask to meet you and demand payments,” he said.

 ARMY VETERANS

KAMPALA - The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) officers have warned army veterans of conmen who are impersonating verification officers with an aim of robbing them.

Speaking to a group of veterans and veteran families during the veteran verification exercise at KCCA grounds in Makindye, Maj. Mohamed Tamale said that they have received complaints from veterans who have fallen prey to the fraudsters.

"Many fraudsters are using our names to con you. They call you claiming they are us and that they are following on some of the missing details on your files. After they ask to meet you and demand payments," he said.

He cautioned them and asked them to deal directly with the officers, saying the process costs nothing.

His remarks came after Betty Namuddu, who is processing documents for her mentally ill brother, revealed that someone pretending to be an army officer had called her asking for sh100, 000 to expedite pension payment.

Her brother, John Kisaasa was discharged from the forces in 1993 after he suffered trauma during the National Resistance Army (NRA) bush war.

"Despite the fact that Kisaasa has children who look up to him as a father, he has never received anything from the government he served," Namuddu lamented.

She narrated that when she started the process of claiming for Kisaasa's money, she called an army officer who asked for a bribe so to help quicken the process. After the payment, the man disappeared.

Other veterans who visited the centre praised UPDF for making the process easier than it was at the Ministry of Public service.

"After retirement, we got our gratuity but have been complaining due to delayed pensions. This verification exercise is giving us fresh hope that we shall get the money. I wish they had done it earlier, we would not be as poor as we are now," said 48-year-old Abel Nuwamanya. He retired from the forces in 2008.

The verification exercise started yesterday and will end on August 5, 2019. It's being conducted countrywide by teams of UPDF officers. The exercise targets to verify about 50,000 veterans who served in all the political regimes including those who fought in the Second World War

Traumatized officers

According to Tamale, in case an officer was discharged due to mental illness, the claimants have to present powers of attorney and other necessary documents signed in the names of the officer.

Medicals form should also be presented to prove that the officer has a mental illness. Other requirements for verification include a National Identity Card, death certificate and letters of administration.

 

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