Army to clear sh500b veterans' pension arrears

The army has set up a plan to settle all outstanding pension arrears for retired soldiers within two years, state minister for defence (veteran affairs), Lt Col (Rtd) Bright Rwamirama has disclosed.

The number of veterans with unpaid claims has reduced from 83,153 two years ago to 79,084, while the total value of the claims has reduced from sh536.4b to sh508.6b.

The minister, during an inter-ministerial meeting in Kampala on Wednesday, said the government had come up with a plan to settle all the remaining claims within two years.

State ministers Denis Galabuzi (Luweero Triangle), Grace Kwiyucwiny (Northern Uganda), Agnes Egunyu (Teso Affairs), and Ernest Kiiza (Bunyoro Affairs), attended the meeting.

All retiring personnel are paid their gratuity and pension on exit.

In case of death, benefits are paid to families within four months to avoid accumulation of a new backlog, Rwamirama said.