The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs will expedite benefit payments to former soldiers to accelerate their integration into civilian life.
The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Kiryowa Iwanuka, announced the directive during a working visit to the Directorate of Veteran Affairs Headquarters at Postel Building in Kampala. The institutional visit aimed to evaluate welfare programs designed for retired Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) personnel.
During the strategy meeting, the minister commended the Directorate of Veteran Affairs for improving the living standards of retired soldiers and their immediate families.
The minister held direct consultations with the Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs (Veteran Affairs), Hon. Huda Oleru Abason, alongside senior directorate technicians. He instructed the administrative staff to resolve all outstanding pension concerns immediately to ensure seamless community resettlement.
Furthermore, the minister highlighted the strategic importance of treating ex-soldiers with dignity to protect the public image of the armed forces.
“We must maintain the symbolic relationship between the UPDF and our veterans because that is where they come from. They are our image in the community, and if they are left miserable, it could have long-term implications for future generations who aspire to serve in the armed forces,” Hon. Kiryowa said.
To maximize institutional output, the minister demanded strict accountability and optimal resource utilization across all veteran welfare operations.
Regarding technical capacity building, the minister directed the Defence Forces Rehabilitation and Vocational Centre to utilize internal military professionals for instructional training. He noted that active UPDF personnel possess a superior understanding of the unique psychological and physical challenges facing military veterans.
In response, Hon. Huda Oleru Abason praised the technical staff for successfully reducing the historical pension backlog over the past five years. She pledged to intensify resource advocacy to ensure sick and vulnerable veterans receive comprehensive medical support.
The high-level security meeting was attended by the Director of Veteran Affairs, Brig Gen (Rtd) Emmanuel Musinguzi, and the Chief of Staff – Reserve Force, Brig Gen Mwanjje Ssekiranda. Other key dignitaries included the Deputy Director Pension, Gratuity and Compensation, Lt Col Onesmus Amanya, and the Commissioner for Reintegration, Resettlement and Production, Mr Mike Wambi Mabonga.
In a concurrent security development, the Reserve Force Service executed a formal leadership transition within its command structure. Col David Edimu officially handed over the office of Director Logistics to Lt Col Benon Katariswerwa during a regulated military ceremony.
Brig Gen Mwanjje Ssekiranda presided over the logistics handover ceremony in the presence of several senior staff officers.