By Joseph Kiggundu
Uganda will verify and process compensation for families of troops who died or were stranded while serving in Somalia, the Prime Minister told Parliament on July 9, 2026.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja announced the commitment during Prime Minister’s Question Time, chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa. She was responding to concerns raised by Kilak South County MP, Hon. Gilbert Olanya (FDC), about unpaid arrears and delays in compensation for Ugandan soldiers deployed under the African Union mission in Somalia.
Olanya noted that many Ugandan soldiers served faithfully in Somalia, with some returning home without full payments and others losing their lives in the line of duty. He urged the government to outline its plan for clearing any outstanding arrears.
Nabbanja said the government has engaged the African Union and international partners to tackle delays in payments. She shared that in February, on instruction from the President, she traveled to Ethiopia to meet AU officials, acknowledging a prolonged period of delayed payments. The intervention has led to AU and partner support in clearing owed amounts, she claimed, adding that the government is now in a position to pay the affected personnel.
To ensure accuracy in compensation, Nabbanja requested Parliament to provide the names of soldiers who died or were affected, so the process can be carried out properly.
In a separate update, the Prime Minister indicated that the government is preparing emergency measures to counter a potential famine in parts of the Greater North and to alleviate water shortages along cattle corridors. Agago County MP Hon. Edward Makmot highlighted the hunger crisis in the Greater North, with reports of extreme food insecurity.
Nabbanja noted that Karamoja has faced severe drought, with some areas not receiving rainfall since April. A Cabinet Paper on the situation has been prepared, with plans to broaden assessments as new reports come in. The government is coordinating with the Ministry of Agriculture and local governments to implement interventions, including the distribution of quick-maturing seeds to bolster food production.
Regarding water scarcity affecting livestock and dairy production, Nabbanja said she arranged a meeting with the Ministries of Water, Agriculture, and Local Government to address the issue. Water bowsers will be deployed to assist water-stressed communities and pastoralists during the dry period, leveraging the limited resources available.