By Ben Musanje
President Yoweri Museveni has announced plans to summon leaders of war veterans and civilian beneficiaries of the Luweero liberation struggle to explain the management of billions of shillings disbursed under the government’s “Akasiimo” compensation programme, amid growing complaints that many intended beneficiaries have been left out.
Speaking during the 37th Heroes Day celebrations held virtually from State Lodge Nakasero, Museveni expressed concern over reports that despite substantial government support extended over the years, many veterans and their families remained impoverished.
The President revealed that government had spent more than Shs231 billion in cash compensation and other support programmes targeting veterans and civilians who supported the National Resistance Army (NRA) during the 1981-1986 liberation struggle. He said the government would convene another meeting with veteran leaders to establish how the funds were distributed and whether all intended beneficiaries had received their allocations.
Museveni explained that the compensation programme was designed to reward different categories of civilians who contributed to the liberation struggle. These included members of secret committees, elected resistance leaders, guides who helped NRA fighters navigate difficult terrain, and militia members who actively supported the liberation movement.
According to the President, a formula developed during consultations with leaders from the Luweero Triangle provided that key leaders, guides and selected contributors would each receive Shs5 million, while other supporters would receive Shs1.5 million. He noted that spouses of some recognized contributors were also included among the beneficiaries and they too received Sh5millon each.
Museveni recalled that government had initially launched the ‘Entandikwa’ programme in 1997 to uplift communities in the Luweero Triangle before expanding it nationwide following concerns from other regions that felt excluded from the initiative.
He said the expansion was intended to address complaints about unequal treatment while ensuring that the contribution of the Luweero Triangle to Uganda’s liberation struggle remained recognized.
The President further highlighted other government interventions targeting veterans, including support through Operation Wealth Creation led by Gen. Salim Saleh Akandwanaho. He noted that seedlings and agricultural inputs had been distributed to veterans’ families and directed that records from those interventions be availed during the planned accountability review.
Museveni emphasized that even where some beneficiaries had since passed away, their families and children remained important stakeholders in the government’s efforts to improve the welfare of liberation war contributors. He also welcomed ongoing efforts by veterans to organize themselves into savings and cooperative groups that could support economic development.
His remarks followed an appeal by National Executive Member for Veterans, Mr. Kigundu Kabandwa, who represented National Chairperson Hajji Edrisa Ssedunga during the celebrations.
Kabandwa told the President that many veterans were living in difficult conditions despite the sacrifices they made during the liberation struggle. He argued that several livelihood programmes originally introduced for veterans had gradually shifted focus to other groups, leaving many former contributors without meaningful support.
He further observed that veterans no longer enjoyed the regular engagement with the President that they once had and that many felt increasingly disconnected from government programmes meant to improve their welfare.
Kabandwa also reported that a significant number of veterans were still waiting for houses promised under various government support schemes, although a few beneficiaries had already received assistance.
He appealed for stronger coordination among veterans’ associations, including the Veteran Verification Committee, Civilian Veterans of the Luweero Triangle, Kawonawo Mbale and Kulima Kurungi Association, among others, to help identify and support veterans who remained unreached.
The accountability concerns emerge as government continues implementing the Akasiimo programme through the Office of the Prime Minister under the Luweero-Rwenzori portfolio.
Last year, State Minister for Luweero Triangle and Rwenzori Region Alice Kaboyo resumed Akasiimo payments after a two-year suspension that had been prompted by numerous complaints from beneficiaries. Prior to the suspension, funds had been deposited in Centenary Bank to facilitate payments to 1,632 beneficiaries from Luweero, Nakasongola and Nakaseke districts.
Kaboyo subsequently announced that an additional Shs6.1 billion had been approved for 2,462 beneficiaries from Kassanda, Mityana, Kyankwanzi and Kiboga districts, adding that government was committed to continuing payments as more resources became available.
In June 2024, government released Shs3.043 billion through the Office of the Prime Minister to facilitate payments to 1,269 verified civilian veterans under the 51st schedule covering beneficiaries from Greater Luweero.
The funds were intended to recognize civilians who provided logistical, intelligence and material support to NRA fighters during the liberation struggle that eventually brought the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to power in 1986.
Government records indicate that since the launch of the Akasiimo programme in 2008, a total of 87,269 beneficiaries had been verified and compensated by 2024.
However, concerns raised by veteran leaders suggest that questions remain regarding accountability, beneficiary identification and the overall impact of the programme. Museveni’s planned meeting with veteran leaders is expected to provide greater clarity on the utilization of the funds and whether all eligible beneficiaries received the compensation intended for them.
The development is likely to intensify scrutiny of one of government’s longest-running post-war compensation programmes as veterans and their families continue to seek recognition and improved livelihoods nearly four decades after Uganda’s liberation struggle. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
