ENTEBBE.President Museveni has ordered a comprehensive review of Shs231 billion allocated to Uganda’s war veterans, demanding accountability for funds intended to improve the welfare of former fighters and their families.
Speaking during the National Heroes Day celebrations at State Lodge Nakasero on Tuesday, Museveni said government would assess how the money was utilised and determine whether all eligible beneficiaries received the support intended for them.
“We shall meet and discuss where the Shs231 billion went, then we shall find out if there is any family which did not get,” Museveni said.
He added that government would also evaluate how veterans used gratuity payments they received and whether the funds had helped improve their livelihoods.
“We are going to have a meeting and evaluate the Shs130 billion. If you received your gratuity, what did you do with it? We are going to meet. Even if the veterans died, the children are here,” he said.
Museveni stressed that government programmes should translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives, saying he did not want to see former fighters and their families continue living in poverty.
The President also addressed concerns regarding the treatment of veterans at health facilities. He said government had encouraged veterans to seek treatment at public facilities as a way of managing healthcare costs but pledged to investigate complaints about service delivery.
“It is true that I support the veterans to go to the hospital in Entebbe. I have been treating them in Nakasero, but due to expense, I sent them to Entebbe Grade B. We should limit the costs in private hospitals,” he said.
Museveni also endorsed plans to acquire land in Migadde for the establishment of a liberation heritage site and museum.
Earlier, the Minister for the Luwero-Rwenzori Development Programme, Alice Kaboyo, highlighted challenges facing some veterans, including poor housing and delays in gratuity payments.
Kaboyo said government had received verified lists of former combatants from various groups and appealed for resources to facilitate payment of outstanding benefits.
She also proposed the acquisition of land in Migadde for preservation of Uganda’s liberation history through a museum and heritage centre.
Representing war veterans, Kabandwa Kiggundu thanked the President for maintaining support programmes for former fighters but raised concerns about alleged corruption and poor treatment of veterans at Entebbe Grade B Hospital.
Kiggundu said some veterans had reported difficulties accessing services and called for investigations into the complaints.
The concerns prompted Museveni to promise a review of the issues raised and reaffirm government’s commitment to supporting veterans who participated in Uganda’s liberation struggle.
The celebrations concluded with remarks from Vice President Jessica Alupo, who commended veterans for their contribution to the country’s peace and stability and reiterated government’s commitment to preserving the legacy of those who fought for Uganda’s liberation.