Ministries in joint partnership to support army Veterans

The Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Bright Rwamirama, together with his counterparts in charge of Teso, Northern Uganda, Luwero/ Rwenzori and Bunyoro regions have met and agreed to address issues of veteran affairs jointly.

During the meeting held in Kampala, Rwamirama told his counterparts that consolidating support for army veterans will improve their livelihoods and that of their families.

“Government is committed to providing services to military veterans and their survivors in recognition of their vital contribution to ensuring peace and stability in the country. We need to consolidate support for them,” Rwamirama said.

According to him, the establishment of the Directorate of Veteran Affairs was done to develop various programs to address the social economic integration challenges facing military veterans so as to enhance their productivity and well-being.

The meeting focused on the challenges faced by Veterans and how they can be tackled.

Rwamirama noted that issues regarding compensation and military veterans need a legal policy guidance, adding that the ministry is in advanced stages of amending the UPDF ACT to take into account the interests of veterans citing completion of drafting of UPDF and Veteran Bill, 2019 that is soon going to be presented in cabinet.

He however referred to the inadequate resources under his docket saying there is need to cooperate with the Office of the Prime Minister which is in charge of coordinating all government programs to undertake a series of   special programs necessary to addressing veteran issues.

The Minister for Teso Affairs Agnes Akiror Egunyu commended Operation Wealth Creation for the services it has rendered to Teso Region in relation to army veterans.

She however proposed to the meeting which also had the   State Minister in charge Micro Finance to target funds for organized groups including veterans.

The Minister for Northern Uganda Grace Kwiyucwiny applauded President Museveni for putting veteran issues first in the pecking order and consequently creating a docket in the defence ministry to specifically handle them.

Army veterans recently   cried out to government through minister Rwamirama for help and asked to be redeployed for foreign missions in a bid to improve their standards of living.

The veterans said since their retirement from active service in the force, they have never received their benefits including pension and gratuity which has exposed them to hardship while trying to adjust to civilian life they are not used to.

The minister however promised them that government is working on solving their issues and that soon they would receive their benefits.