President Yoweri Museveni has summoned the leaders of the NRA liberation war veterans, to State House Entebbe as part of an audit into the UGX 231 billion fund periodically disbursed to support veterans’ wealth creation initiatives across the country.
The directive is premised on the 2009 meeting between the President and leaders of Veterans Association during which they resolved to pay UGX 5 million (akasiimo) to each veteran leader in the liberation war including their wives and UGC 1.5 million to the then support cadres.
“We are going to have a meeting to find out what happened to that money,” he said.
Mr Museveni made the remarks during the 37th Heroes’ Day celebrations held at State Lodge, Nakasero, which had limited physical attendance of less than 25 guests due to the ebola restrictions.
The President further advised the veterans to make favourable reforms in the management of their SACCOs so that it makes it easy for the government to support them in groups.
President Museveni further announced plans to establish seedling breeding facilities at Presidential farms to supply seedlings to veterans for wealth creation purposes.
Additionaly, President Museveni directed his Principal Private secretary to fast-track treatment arrangements for veterans at Entebbe Grade B Hospital in order to avoid squandering money in private hospitals.
The Vice President, H.E Jessica Alupo thanked the President for consistently maintaining and mainstreaming the programs of Uganda’s national heroes in both planning and budgeting.
“And I thank the implementing MDAs for executing their roles and responsibilities and keeping in contact with our national heroes, specifically the veterans association of Luweero and many others in other parts of the country. I thank the implementing Ministers for doing a very good job,” she said.
