By KT Reporter
The Ministry of Luwero Rwenzori has secured 6.1 billion shillings to compensate veterans, a move aimed at resolving long-standing grievances ahead of the upcoming Presidential campaigns.
President Yoweri Museveni is expected to be nominated on 23rd September and to launch his presidential campaigns in Luwero district on 30th September 2025. Luwero, a key epicenter of the National Resistance Army (NRA) war of 1981-1986 that brought Museveni to power, has traditionally been the starting point for his campaigns, recognizing its historic support.
However, complaints from some veterans and residents who contributed to the NRA but had not been compensated persisted over the years.
Alice Kaboyo, State Minister for the Luwero Triangle, said that payments were halted two years ago following mismanagement complaints and investigations. After verification, the Ministry resumed compensation, clearing 1,632 veterans from Luwero, Nakaseke, and Nakasongola districts.
Kaboyo revealed that the Ministry has secured an additional 6.1 billion shillings to pay 2,462 veterans from Kassanda, Mityana, Kyankwanzi, and Kiboga districts starting next week. She emphasized that the Ministry aims to settle all veterans before moving on to other programs.
The announcement was welcomed by veterans, some of whom had lost hope of ever accessing their compensation.
Omar Ali Kyagulanyi, a veteran from Katikamu sub-county, noted that some colleagues had passed away without receiving their packages, while others suffered in poverty. Israel Nyakana, Chairperson of Butuntumula Sub-County, called for transparency to ensure all veterans are paid before the program concludes.
Kaboyo also highlighted other recent initiatives benefiting veterans, including medical packages for 240 veterans, construction of 12 houses for civilian veterans, donation of 31,050 iron sheets, 1,000 hand hoes, and support for 32 micro-scale projects with grants totaling 433 million shillings.
She further noted that the Ministry plans to donate motorcycles to sub-county chairpersons of the veterans’ association to facilitate mobilization and development initiatives.
The announcement comes as the NRM Government seeks to regain support in Luwero, where President Museveni’s popularity declined significantly in the 2021 elections.
Museveni received 41,166 votes (27.94%), while his arch-rival, NUP Presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu, scored 103,782 votes (70.45%). Efforts to fulfill pledges, including timely compensation of veterans, are part of the strategy to win back voter confidence.
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