President Yoweri Museveni has summoned veteran leaders to account for Shs231 billion that was periodically disbursed by the government to support wealth creation initiatives for liberation war heroes across the country. The President made the directive during the 37th Heroes’ Day celebrations held at State Lodge, Nakasero, on Tuesday. This year’s event had a significantly reduced physical attendance of less than 25 guests due to ongoing Ebola restrictions.

Museveni announced that a follow-up meeting will be convened specifically to establish how the funds were used. “We are going to have a meeting to find out what happened to that money,” he said.

The funds in question trace back to a resolution made during a 2009 meeting between the President and leaders of the Veterans Association, in which government agreed to pay Shs5 million — locally referred to as akasiimo — to each veteran leader in the liberation war including their wives, and Shs1.5 million to support cadres of that era.

Saluting the Heroes

Taking time to honour those who participated in the 1981 liberation struggle, Museveni expressed deep gratitude to both civilian and armed veterans. “I want to thank the civilian and armed veterans who joined us to achieve this; to defeat an army of the government which had all the weapons. I thank them so much, even those who are not here — I want their families to be saluted,” he said.

The President also revisited the rationale behind the decision to launch the bush war, saying the country had been pushed to the brink. “The democracy, security and economy of Uganda had collapsed because of the mistakes of past leaders. Governance had collapsed so really the choice was survival or continue bleeding like it has happened in some other countries. Here we said no, this has to be stopped. Well-wishers joined us and we were able to create that capacity,” he said.

Reflecting on the decades since, he added: “As someone who has been following, I think we have done well. That’s why the economy has expanded.”

Seedlings, a Museum and Medical Care

Beyond the audit, the President announced a number of new commitments for veterans. He revealed plans to establish seedling breeding facilities at his presidential farms to support veterans in agriculture. “I will now use Kawumu, Gomba, Ngoma to supply seedlings to veterans and their children,” he said.

Museveni also confirmed that government will purchase 60 acres of land at Migadde along the Kampala–Bombo road to establish a liberation war museum — a long-discussed project aimed at preserving the history of Uganda’s struggle.

On healthcare, the President directed his Principal Private Secretary to expedite treatment arrangements for veterans at Entebbe Grade B Hospital, saying this would help avoid unnecessary expenditure at costly private health facilities.

He further called on veterans to make reforms in the management of their SACCOs to make it easier for government to channel support to them as organised groups.

Tributes from Leaders

Vice President Jessica Alupo thanked the President for consistently mainstreaming veterans’ programs in government planning and budgeting. “It is due to their sacrifices that we are now enjoying those benefits,” she noted, paying tribute to heroes of FRONASA and the NRA/M.

Minister for the Presidency Hon. Milly Babalanda said Heroes’ Day serves as a reminder that Uganda’s progress was not handed to its people freely, but earned through sacrifice.

The Minister of State for Luweero Triangle Affairs, Hon. Alice Kaboyo, also used the occasion to congratulate the President on his re-election, saying Uganda has made great strides in socio-economic development as a direct result of the peace and security the NRM government established.

The representative of the Chairman of Luweero War Veteran Association, Mr. Kigundu Kabandwa, commended the President for transforming the National Resistance Army into a national army and praised his leadership that has steered the NRM for the last 40 years.

The celebrations were also attended by Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Jacob Oboth Oboth, Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, and Chief Justice His Lordship Flavian Zeija, among other senior government officials.