5,000 ex-soldiers register in Bunyoro
May 02, 2010
MORE than 5,000 people have been registered in Hoima, Masindi and Bulisa districts under the on-going documentation of former soldiers since independence.
By Pascal Kwesiga
MORE than 5,000 people have been registered in Hoima, Masindi and Bulisa districts under the on-going documentation of former soldiers since independence.
Also being registered are orphans and widows of the fallen soldiers who fought in the National Resistance Army guerrilla war that brought President Yoweri Museveni to power in 1986.
The UPDF western region spokesperson, Capt. Robert Kamara, said the Government was also registering the soldiers who served in the King’s African Rifle Army until independence.
He revealed that many people from Bunyoro sub-region were turned away because they lacked documents such as a discharge certificate for those who were retired from the army.
“Some told us their children had died in the army yet they had died in jail because they joined the army and became criminals.
“We told them they cannot be paid because beneficiaries must have been retired peacefully,†Kamara said.
He explained that the Government chose to conduct the exercise at district level to avoid the bureaucracy in the defence ministry.
Kamara said those registered would be paid pensions and gratuity as soon as the exercise is completed.
He dismissed rumours that the Government came up with the exercise so as to maintain and gain more support from the population ahead of the 2011 elections.
“This exercise has been on-going though it was done at the army headquarters. The President has now said it should be conducted at district level so that people can easily access their benefits,†Kamara said.
He said the exercise would be completed his month in Kiruhura district.
Chairman Hoima district veterans association Alid Gaddafi said: “This exercise was initiated by the Government. We have been told to open new bank accounts so that we are not cheated.
“Many veterans are happy about the development and are waiting to hear that money has been deposited on the account by July as they have promised.â€
Juliet Akugizibwe, a resident of Kyesiga in Kitoba sub-county who retired as a corporal in 1993, said: “We have registered several times but have not been helped. It is becoming time wasting. We do not know if the Government will deliver this time but we shall keep doing what we are told.â€
MORE than 5,000 people have been registered in Hoima, Masindi and Bulisa districts under the on-going documentation of former soldiers since independence.
Also being registered are orphans and widows of the fallen soldiers who fought in the National Resistance Army guerrilla war that brought President Yoweri Museveni to power in 1986.
The UPDF western region spokesperson, Capt. Robert Kamara, said the Government was also registering the soldiers who served in the King’s African Rifle Army until independence.
He revealed that many people from Bunyoro sub-region were turned away because they lacked documents such as a discharge certificate for those who were retired from the army.
“Some told us their children had died in the army yet they had died in jail because they joined the army and became criminals.
“We told them they cannot be paid because beneficiaries must have been retired peacefully,†Kamara said.
He explained that the Government chose to conduct the exercise at district level to avoid the bureaucracy in the defence ministry.
Kamara said those registered would be paid pensions and gratuity as soon as the exercise is completed.
He dismissed rumours that the Government came up with the exercise so as to maintain and gain more support from the population ahead of the 2011 elections.
“This exercise has been on-going though it was done at the army headquarters. The President has now said it should be conducted at district level so that people can easily access their benefits,†Kamara said.
He said the exercise would be completed his month in Kiruhura district.
Chairman Hoima district veterans association Alid Gaddafi said: “This exercise was initiated by the Government. We have been told to open new bank accounts so that we are not cheated.
“Many veterans are happy about the development and are waiting to hear that money has been deposited on the account by July as they have promised.â€
Juliet Akugizibwe, a resident of Kyesiga in Kitoba sub-county who retired as a corporal in 1993, said: “We have registered several times but have not been helped. It is becoming time wasting. We do not know if the Government will deliver this time but we shall keep doing what we are told.â€