MPs rap Defence over soldiers pension
May 12, 2007
MEMBERS of Parliament have criticised the Ministry of Defence for delaying to settle pension arrears of retired low-ranking officers.
By Josephine Maseruka
MEMBERS of Parliament have criticised the Ministry of Defence for delaying to settle pension arrears of retired low-ranking officers.
The defence and internal affairs committee claimed that the ministry promptly pays pension for senior officers, but takes time to clear junior officers.
They demanded a streamlined policy on pension payments since the majority of the beneficiaries could not afford transport to the army headquarters in Bombo.
A retired officer, Badhulu Katongole (Kyaka), and Rtd Lt. Jessica Alupo (Katakwi) told defence ministers Dr. Crispus Kiyonga and Ruth Nankabirwa that unless the issue of arrears was streamlined, they would take legal action.
Katongole expressed discontent over the delay of being cleared, claiming other soldiers, who retired after him, had been paid.
“Pensioners are very frustrated. Let there be a time framework in which someone must be paid .â€
Kiyonga explained that the ministry needed sh15.4b to pay salaries for 40,000 militias in the auxiliary forces.
He said the militias had not been paid salaries for a year, adding that the ministry had promised to retire some of them by the end of the 2007/08 financial year.
“We hope to retain 12,000 (militias) because of the unconcluded Juba peace talks since the policemen in the north cannot keep law and order in case the talks fail.â€
Kiyonga added that 2,000 militias would be retained in the army and the Police.
Nankabirwa dismissed claims that there was discrimination in the ministry.
“The only cases I know of are of positive discrimination where individuals approach me to help an ailing beneficiary to access the money and I write to the relevant authorities to expedite the process.â€
MEMBERS of Parliament have criticised the Ministry of Defence for delaying to settle pension arrears of retired low-ranking officers.
The defence and internal affairs committee claimed that the ministry promptly pays pension for senior officers, but takes time to clear junior officers.
They demanded a streamlined policy on pension payments since the majority of the beneficiaries could not afford transport to the army headquarters in Bombo.
A retired officer, Badhulu Katongole (Kyaka), and Rtd Lt. Jessica Alupo (Katakwi) told defence ministers Dr. Crispus Kiyonga and Ruth Nankabirwa that unless the issue of arrears was streamlined, they would take legal action.
Katongole expressed discontent over the delay of being cleared, claiming other soldiers, who retired after him, had been paid.
“Pensioners are very frustrated. Let there be a time framework in which someone must be paid .â€
Kiyonga explained that the ministry needed sh15.4b to pay salaries for 40,000 militias in the auxiliary forces.
He said the militias had not been paid salaries for a year, adding that the ministry had promised to retire some of them by the end of the 2007/08 financial year.
“We hope to retain 12,000 (militias) because of the unconcluded Juba peace talks since the policemen in the north cannot keep law and order in case the talks fail.â€
Kiyonga added that 2,000 militias would be retained in the army and the Police.
Nankabirwa dismissed claims that there was discrimination in the ministry.
“The only cases I know of are of positive discrimination where individuals approach me to help an ailing beneficiary to access the money and I write to the relevant authorities to expedite the process.â€