M7 Orders Audit of NRA Veterans’ Compensation Funds

President Yoweri Museveni has ordered an audit into the expenditures related to the compensation of National Resistance Army (NRA) guerrilla war veterans and their support groups.

He made the directive on Monday while presiding over the 36th National Heroes Day celebrations at Kaliiro playground in Lyantonde District, where some veterans voiced concerns about not receiving any direct benefits for their contributions.

Museveni expressed surprise that, despite the substantial investment in compensating NRA veterans through the Ministry for Luwero-Rwenzori Affairs, many former fighters are still complaining about being neglected.

According to Grace Kaboyo, the State Minister in charge of Luwero-Rwenzori, the government has spent Shillings 218 billion since 2008 to improve the livelihoods of ex-combatants and their families. However, some families in the greater Masaka sub-region report that they have not received any portion of the funds.

Museveni emphasized that an audit would be carried out to establish how the money has been used. He reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting families of former NRA fighters, with each household promised Shillings 5 million to help rebuild their livelihoods.

In addition to financial support, Museveni announced that the government would upgrade Entebbe Grade B Hospital to offer specialized treatment for NRA veterans. “We have been doing this at Nakasero Hospital, but we have instead enriched them. We now want to do it in a government hospital,” he said.

The President also directed the enhanced implementation of the sub-county policing model to address the increasing theft of livestock and coffee in communities. 

He instructed Ezra Tugume, the Greater Masaka Regional Police Commander, to ensure that every sub-county has a functional police unit capable of promptly responding to such incidents.

Meanwhile, the President awarded medals to seven individuals who were buried alive for providing intelligence to NRA fighters.