President Museveni Orders Comprehensive Audit of Shs231 Billion Veterans Fund

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officially directed a massive and comprehensive review of Shs231 billion that was previously allocated to support Uganda’s war veterans.

The sweeping directive aims to establish exactly how the substantial funds were utilized and to verify whether the intended beneficiaries, as well as the families of deceased combatants, actually received the financial support intended to improve their livelihoods.

The President issued these strict orders on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, while speaking during the national commemoration of Heroes Day at the State Lodge in Nakasero. Addressing a gathering of government officials and veteran representatives, Museveni adopted a firm stance on accountability, emphasizing that the government must undertake a thorough assessment to trace the flow of the allocated resources and identify any operational gaps in the distribution process.

During his national address, the President made it clear that the welfare of former fighters remains a top priority for his administration, but he expressed deep concern over the lack of tangible improvements in the lives of many veterans despite heavy government funding. He announced that high-level meetings would be convened specifically to dissect the expenditure of the Shs231 billion.

Museveni stated that the government would meet and discuss where the Shs231 billion went, adding that they must find out if there is any family that did not receive their rightful share. The President further noted that the upcoming evaluation would also focus on a separate Shs130 billion that was disbursed as gratuity payments. The goal of this evaluation is to determine how the veterans utilized these gratuity payouts and whether the financial interventions successfully elevated their socioeconomic status.

The President emphasized that even in cases where the original veterans have passed away, their surviving children and dependents are still present and should be recognized as the rightful beneficiaries.

He stressed that all government programs must translate into measurable and positive transformations at the household level, expressing his deep frustration at seeing former combatants and their families continuing to wallow in preventable poverty.

Beyond financial accountability, the national address also tackled pressing issues regarding the medical welfare and treatment of aging veterans. Museveni addressed recent concerns regarding the quality of care and the astronomical costs associated with treating former fighters at private health facilities across the capital.  

To manage escalating healthcare expenses, the President revealed that the government has actively encouraged veterans to seek specialized medical treatment at designated public facilities rather than expensive private hospitals.

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He acknowledged that while he had previously supported treating veterans at private facilities in Nakasero, the overwhelming expense forced a strategic shift, prompting him to direct them to Entebbe Grade B Hospital instead.  

Museveni noted that it is crucial to limit exorbitant costs incurred in private hospitals, reaffirming his administration’s support for fully utilizing Entebbe Grade B Hospital for veteran care. However, he also pledged to launch a thorough investigation into mounting complaints regarding poor service delivery and alleged mistreatment of veterans at these designated government health facilities.  

The Heroes Day celebrations also featured significant policy proposals aimed at preserving the country’s rich historical legacy. The Minister for the Luwero-Rwenzori Development Programme, Alice Kaboyo, took the podium to highlight the ongoing challenges facing the veteran community, pointing to poor housing conditions and persistent delays in the processing of gratuity payments.

Minister Kaboyo informed the President that the government had successfully received and verified lists of former combatants from various regional groups. She made a passionate appeal for the urgent allocation of additional resources to facilitate the clearing of all outstanding financial benefits owed to the veterans.

In a move to immortalize the sacrifices of the fighters, Kaboyo proposed the formal acquisition of land in Migadde for the construction and establishment of a national liberation heritage site and museum. President Museveni publicly endorsed this ambitious plan, agreeing that establishing a heritage center is absolutely vital for preserving Uganda’s liberation history for future generations.

The event provided a crucial platform for the veterans to directly voice their grievances to the Head of State. Representing the war veterans, Kabandwa Kiggundu delivered a candid speech in which he thanked the President for maintaining continuous support programs for former fighters. However, Kiggundu did not shy away from addressing the systemic issues currently plaguing the veteran community.

He raised serious concerns regarding alleged corruption within the distribution of veteran funds and echoed complaints about the poor treatment of elderly combatants at Entebbe Grade B Hospital. Kiggundu revealed that several veterans had reported severe difficulties in accessing basic medical and administrative services, calling for immediate and transparent investigations into the persistent complaints.

These direct testimonies prompted President Museveni to firmly promise a comprehensive review of all the issues raised, reaffirming the government’s unwavering commitment to honoring and supporting the men and women who actively participated in Uganda’s liberation struggle.

The solemn but reflective celebrations concluded with official remarks from Vice President Jessica Alupo. The Vice President commended the veterans for their immeasurable contributions to the country’s current peace, security, and stability, reiterating the government’s enduring commitment to preserving the heroic legacy of those who fought for Uganda’s liberation.