The veterans have camped in Kapeeka town since 2016, allegedly waiting for compensation for their contribution to the war that ushered in the National Resistance Army-NRA regime, then led by President Museveni. The veterans are from Kiboga, Kampala Mbarara, Ntungamo, Kyegegwa, Kiruhura, Isingiro, Rakai and Masaka among other districts.
Police have evicted more 100 veterans who had camped in Kapeeka
town in Nakaseke district demanding compensation from General Salim Saleh,
the Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation.
The veterans have camped in Kapeeka town since 2016, allegedly waiting for compensation for their contribution to the war that ushered in the National Resistance Army-NRA regime, then led by President Museveni. The veterans are from Kiboga, Kampala Mbarara, Ntungamo, Kyegegwa, Kiruhura, Isingiro,
Rakai and Masaka among other districts.
However, on Wednesday morning, Policemen raided their place, where the group resided and
arrested them before they were transferred to Kapeeka Police Station and
ordered to leave the town with immediate effect.
The veterans tried to protest the eviction but armed Anti-Riot Policemen
commanded by David Wamunyerere, the Deputy Savannah Regional Police Commander
forced the veterans into hired taxis before transporting them to Kampala Bus
Park to return to home districts.
Isah Semwogerere, the Savannah Regional Police Spokesperson says that Police
raided the homes to enforce a Presidential directive which banned large
gatherings as awat of controlling the spread of coronavirus disease COVID-19.
Semwogerere says that the veterans have been sleeping in small rooms in large
numbers and from different districts which put them at high risk of the coronavirus
infection. He adds that the group agreed to leave the town and use other procedures to
demand compensation.
John Ssesanga, the LC I Chairman of Kololo zone in Kapeeka town says that the
veterans have repeatedly received money from General Salim Saleh but didn’t
want to return home and he was equally tired of endless demands.
Ssesanga adds that on Saturday the same group received shillings 50,000-200,000
to enable them to return home to save the risks of contracting coronavirus but
they refused till Policemen launched an operation to evict them from town.
Wilson Rwamasaki, a veteran from Kyegegwa district says that many of the
veterans lost everything in the war and they were promised money by Saleh to
start income-generating incomes in vain. He says that they had nowhere to go and driving them out of town is
exposing them to starvation.
Rwamasaki says they have been engaging in casual jobs to earn a living in town
as they wait for Gen Saleh to respond to their demands.
Benon Twimbaza, another veteran explained that he was retired from the army in
2016 but since then he has been chasing for compensation in vain.
Twimbaza says the 200,000 shillings given to him was not enough for transport
and to start a business.
Fredah Katekeya another victim from Kiruhura district says that she lost
husband and property during the war. Katekeya cried that she had nothing to do
in Kiruhura.
In the operation, Policemen beat up the veterans leaving scores injured. One of
the injured Phiona Kansiime was transferred to Kapeeka Health Center 111 for
treatment after sustaining several injures in the stomach.
URN Reporter couldn't reach General Salim Saleh, the Chief Coordinator of
Operation Wealth Creation for comment.
