Africa-Press – Uganda. President Museveni on Heroes Day, Monday, demanded an explanation from State Minister for Luwero Affairs Alice Kaboyo on how Shs218 billion intended for veterans’ benefits has been spent, amid growing concerns from local leaders and beneficiaries who say they have never received a coin.
While presiding over the 36th Heroes Day commemorations in Lyantonde District, Museveni was visibly stunned after an on-spot inquiry revealed glaring gaps in the accountability of the “akasiimo” fund, a financial reward to individuals who supported the National Resistance Army (NRA) struggle.
The moment of reckoning came when Museveni asked a local leader, Mr Muhendo, the LC1 chairman of the area, to share his experience with the fund.
“Your Excellency, as the LC1 chairman, I have no knowledge of the five million fund. I don’t even have transport means, I know nothing about it,” Muhendo responded.
In response to the President’s query, Minister Kaboyo stated that the government had so far disbursed Shs218 billion to 87,310 people across the country.
“Your Excellency, we have since spent 218 billion for akasiimo,” she said. However, this answer did little to calm the President, who demanded a deeper probe into how the money had been allocated.
“Where does the money go? Who takes the money?” Museveni asked, visibly displeased. He warned that a comprehensive investigation would follow, using a Luganda proverb—Ekitatta mulima tekimalako nte—to suggest that no wrongdoing would be spared under his government’s scrutiny.
“If we had given Shs5 million per person to 40,000 people, this would add up to that money. But we didn’t have 40,000 leaders at the time,” he noted, arguing that some families even received Shs10 million due to the separate contributions of both spouses during the struggle.
Museveni drew parallels with the Parish Development Model (PDM), pointing out how even Shs1 million under that program is significantly transforming households.
“You have seen how much one million is doing for families through the PDM. That means the veteran money allocated here in Lyantonde since 2008—when things were even cheaper—could have done much more.”
He insisted that the number of eligible beneficiaries was relatively small and included people he personally knows, making it easier to track accountability.
“We didn’t have many people in the struggle. Some of them I know by name,” he said.
Museveni concluded with a promise to get to the bottom of the matter.
“This time we will know who exactly slept on the job,” he said, signalling a looming investigation into the mismanagement of the fund.
The president’s comments have rekindled frustrations among veterans, many of whom have repeatedly voiced their discontent over being forgotten or sidelined despite their contribution to the liberation struggle.
As public scrutiny intensifies, all eyes are now on the Ministry of Luwero Affairs and the next steps the government will take in tracing the missing billions.
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