Government is set to pay 2,000 veterans in a move to clear the pending pension case backlog of pensions and gratuity.
79,084 veterans are yet to receive their pension.
Those earmarked for payment include, soldiers who served in various capacities since Uganda’s post-independence. They include; World war II, Uganda Defence Forces among others.
While addressing the veteran community at Isingiro District on Saturday, State minister for Defence in charge of Veteran Affairs Bright Rwamirama said that most veterans were not yet paid because all those who retired between 1990/95 were under public service.
He noted that the arrangement of files from public service has been a challenge all along. “Some of the files from public service are missing proper documentation such as letters of administration, proper bank accounts among others.”
Rwamirama further revealed that Uganda Veterans Advisory Board (UVAB) was previously working on individuals who had retired voluntarily unlike now when the Directorate of Veteran affairs is concentrating on all categories of veterans including survivors.
“UVAB money has been changed under the current UPDF Act which will be discussed in parliament and will involve compensating casualties their substantive amount as well as pending veterans.”
He assured the well-attended meeting that within the next two years the issue of pension backlog should be well addressed.
The chairman of Isingiro District Veteran League Maj Agaba informed the gathering that veterans had formed a SACCO which has over 500 members so far. He said that the government should assist their SACCO to be operational.
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