Over 400 veterans in Kikamulo Sub County in Nakaseke district have petitioned President Yoweri Museveni over what they called mismanagement of the compensation scheme.
The veterans of the 1981-1986 war claim that they have not benefited from the compensation scheme and want the top executive of Luweero triangle war veterans association to be investigated and dismissed for mismanagement.
The veterans accuse the chairman of Luweero triangle war veterans association, who doubles as presidential advisor on Luweero affairs Edris Ssedunga and Kikamulo sub county coordinator Clement Kagubaala for compensating only their family members, friends and non veterans.
The Luweero Triangle war Veterans Association was tasked to register and aide in compensating the veterans that contributed to the war that brought Museveni to power.
One of the veterans Charles Ssendaula says that out of over 600 veterans that were registered to benefit in the scheme in Kikamulo Sub County only 84 people have successfully got half or full compensations.
He explains that on the list of 84 beneficiaries, 15 are family members and 20 are friends of Clement Kagubaala, the sub county coordinator.
He adds that he and other veterans are languishing in poverty and the money of the scheme President Museveni promised them is given to friends, family members and non veterans.
John Ssali 70, a resident of Wakayamba village says that he is ageing and becoming weak and his 3.5 million shillings compensation is not forthcoming.
He adds that Kagubaala inflated the figures of the beneficiaries, left out the real contributors to the war and registered his family members that are still children who were not born at the time of the war and therefore didn’t contribute to the struggle.
He also accused the coordinator of soliciting a bribe of 10,000 shillings as registration fee and other extra costs to enable a veteran receive his funds.
Another veteran Ronald Ssebuyungo adds that the coordinators and national chairman, Edris Ssedunga have lived in office for two decades without holding any elections so that they continue benefiting themselves as individuals not a group.
George Makayi a sub county committee member told URN that Kagubaala usurped powers of all members at the committee and left them in darkness so that the project benefits only the friends and family members.
The veterans want President Museveni through the Luwero Triangle Minister Rose Namayanja to order an investigation of the coordinators and top executive of the association. They also want the president to order a fresh election for transparency and accountability.
Kagubaala told URN reporter that he sent the full list of beneficiaries to his boss, Edris Ssedunga, who determines the beneficiaries and order him to mobilize them for the funds.
He however failed to explain how all his family members and friends were lucky to be among the first beneficiaries.
However, Ssedunga said the complainants are having personal grudges and their allegations are baseless. He promised to hold a meeting to sensitize them on the operation of the association and the scheme.
But the state minister for Luweero triangle Rose Namayanja says that she noted the complaints and will address them.
In 2008, President Museveni ordered for compensation of Luweero war veterans and 10 billion shillings is allocated to the scheme per year. Over 60,000 people have been listed to benefit from the scheme.
