Museveni Orders Probe into Missing Shs218 Billion Veterans' Compensation

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President Yoweri Museveni stunned attendees at Uganda's 36th Heroes Day commemoration in Lyantonde District by demanding immediate explanations for the alleged mishandling of Shs218 billion earmarked for veterans. During Monday's celebrations honoring liberation struggle heroes, the President confronted State Minister for Luwero Affairs Alice Kaboyo after grassroots leaders revealed they had never received any portion of the "akasiimo" funds—compensation established in 2008 for supporters of the National Resistance Army (NRA).

The dramatic exchange unfolded when Museveni invited testimonies from local officials. Lyantonde's LC1 chairman, identified as Mr. Muhendo, delivered a bombshell revelation: "Your Excellency, as community leader, I've never encountered this five million fund. I lack even basic transportation—this money is unknown to us." Muhendo's statement drew visible dismay from the President and audience members, casting immediate doubt on the fund's distribution system.

Minister Kaboyo countered that the treasury had disbursed the entire Shs218 billion to 87,310 verified beneficiaries nationwide. However, Museveni swiftly dismantled this defense with sharp fiscal scrutiny. "Mathematically, distributing Shs5 million each to 40,000 veterans would total Shs200 billion," he asserted. "But we didn't have 40,000 leaders during the struggle. Some families received double allocations where both spouses contributed." His calculations suggested significant accounting irregularities in the 15-year-old program.

The President highlighted glaring contrasts with the government's Parish Development Model (PDM), where modest Shs1 million allocations visibly transform households. "Consider what small sums achieve through PDM today," Museveni urged the crowd. "This veterans' fund—deployed since 2008 when prices were far lower—should have generated monumental impact in communities like Lyantonde." He punctuated his critique with the Luganda proverb "Ekitatta mulima tekimalako nte" (nothing escapes the watchful eye), vowing no misconduct would evade investigation.

Museveni's personal connection to the liberation struggle intensified his outrage. "Our forces were compact—I know many veterans by name," he emphasized, implying the limited beneficiary pool should simplify accountability. His pledge to identify "who slept on the job" signals a high-stakes forensic audit targeting the Ministry of Luwero Triangle Affairs.

The public confrontation rekindled longstanding grievances among veterans' groups nationwide. Many attest to being systematically excluded from compensation despite documented roles in the 1981-1986 bush war. As Heroes Day shifted from celebration to scandal, analysts noted the incident underscores Uganda's persistent challenges in honoring wartime pledges. With Museveni authorizing what could become a landmark corruption probe, scrutiny now falls on Kaboyo's ministry to produce verifiable disbursement records.

Historical context reveals the akasiimo fund's troubled legacy. Designed to reward civilians who provided intelligence, shelter, or logistics during the conflict, its implementation has faced corruption allegations since inception. Observers suggest Lyantonde's testimony exposes systemic flaws in beneficiary verification—particularly in rural districts where banking infrastructure remains limited.

As the government prepares its audit, questions mount about oversight mechanisms for special funds. The outcome could redefine Uganda's approach to veteran welfare and set precedents for managing Shs1.3 trillion in annual development spending. For war heroes awaiting recognition, Museveni's investigation offers cautious hope—but as one veteran remarked anonymously, "We've heard promises before. Now we need coins in hands, not words in wind."