Minister Kaboyo hands over Seventh Civilian Veteran House in ongoing effort to honour Civilian Veterans

By:  Jean Blessing

NAKASEKE

Hon. Alice Kaboyo, Minister of State for Luwero Triangle and Rwenzori Region, has officially handed over the seventh civilian veteran house in an ongoing government programme aimed at honouring individuals who contributed to Uganda’s liberation struggle. The house, constructed in Katale-Kamese, Butalangu Town Council, Nakaseke District, was built for Mr. Nyindo Muluka, a former Muluka Chief during the Obote regime who later joined the National Resistance Movement (NRM). The project is fully financed by the Ministry of Luwero-Rwenzori under the Office of the Prime Minister and executed by NEC Construction Works and Engineering Ltd, a subsidiary of the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC).

These gallant freedom fighters played a pivotal role in the revolution that shaped Uganda’s history, fighting against dictatorial governments between 1981 and 1986 under the leadership of Gen. Yoweri K. Museveni, now the President of Uganda. Hon. Kaboyo paid tribute to the sacrifices of such civilian veterans, often made behind the scenes, describing them as essential pillars of the resistance movement. She stressed that the contributions of veterans like Nyindo Muluka deserve national recognition and dignity, not only through commemoration but also through tangible support such as housing and healthcare.

Addressing the issue of Akasiimo (gratitude) payments, the Minister acknowledged persistent delays in Nakaseke and surrounding Districts. She attributed these to incomplete or unclear records of veteran identities and emphasized that a dedicated verification committee is actively working to resolve these discrepancies. Hon. Kaboyo explained that funds had already been budgeted in 2024 to compensate verified veterans in Nakaseke, Luwero, and Nakasongola, and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to clear all pending cases.

She further addressed the issue of youth unemployment among children of veterans, recognizing that while the government cannot absorb every job seeker, it remains committed to supporting youth through initiatives like income-generating projects. She encouraged the youth to organize themselves into associations and formally present their proposals to the President, who has consistently supported grassroots development efforts. The Minister also pointed to the newly constructed abattoir in Butalangu, promising that efforts were underway to make it operational, potentially creating jobs for young people, particularly from veteran families.

In urging communities not to depend solely on government support, Hon. Kaboyo emphasized the importance of civic responsibility and community-driven development. She cited the example of Hon. Kabuye Kyofatogabye, who donated land for public projects, as a model of individual initiative that complements government efforts. She reiterated that President Museveni had made a firm commitment to ensure all uncompensated veterans receive housing, and that the Ministry under her leadership would follow through on this directive. Hon. Kaboyo expressed satisfaction with the growing support for the President in Nakaseke, notably seen during the recent birthday celebrations, and encouraged residents to sustain this momentum ahead of the 2026 general elections.

She also relayed the President’s promise to equip Entebbe Grade B Hospital with adequate medical facilities to cater to the specific health needs of veterans, thereby ensuring their welfare extends beyond housing and includes access to quality healthcare.

Speaking at the ceremony, State Minister for Kampala, Hon. Kabuye Kyofatogabye, praised the enduring legacy of the veterans and called on their children to carry forward the principles of hard work, patriotism, and self-reliance. He urged the public to embrace government wealth creation initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), noting that such programmes are essential in transforming household incomes. He announced that youth representatives had successfully taken up leadership roles across all parishes and encouraged further inclusion by empowering women and persons with disabilities to also serve in these roles. Hon. Kyofatogabye further revealed that he had personally donated land to a civilian veteran who previously had no property, thus enabling them to build a home.

Nakaseke District Resident District Commissioner, Ms. Rosemary Byabasajja, raised key security concerns in the area, including theft of livestock and coffee, incidents of rape, and long-standing land disputes. Despite these issues, she applauded the Ministry’s support to over 40 local community groups and commended the completion of two veteran houses, including one for the family of the late Dodoviko Lubowa Galimpitawa. Ms. Byabasajja praised Hon. Kaboyo’s leadership, noting the significant progress made in constructing veteran houses during her tenure. However, she also highlighted the growing number of uncompensated veterans who continue to seek support and appealed to the Ministry to accelerate the verification and compensation process. She pointed to broader district-level gains from government programmes, including the upgrade of Semuto Health Centre IV, improvements in Health Centre IIIs, and the positive impact of PDM implementation. She urged residents to support more NRM candidates in order to work collectively with leaders such as Hon. Najjuma to further Nakaseke’s development agenda.

Representing the Managing Director of NEC, Lt. Gen. James Mugira, NEC Works General Manager Eng. Brian Buhanda conveyed gratitude to the Office of the Prime Minister for entrusting the company with the construction of veteran houses. He expressed appreciation for the government’s confidence in NEC’s capabilities and thanked President Museveni for his continued vision in recognising those who fought for the country. Eng. Buhanda reported that seven of the twelve planned houses had been completed and handed over, with the remaining five expected to be commissioned the following month. He pledged NEC’s continued commitment to maintaining quality and meeting deadlines, and commended Minister Kaboyo for her consistent oversight and presence at the project sites.

In her closing remarks, Hon. Kaboyo officially confirmed that houses have now been handed over to the families of the late Lwanyaga of Wakiso, Sam Luttamaguzi of Kikandwa in Nakaseke, Samuel Ssejemba of Mukono, the late Peter Mpiima Kazimoto of Budaka, Esther Tumwiine of the Karuhanga family in Mbarara, Nyindo Muluka of Butalangu, and Dodoviko Lubowa Galimpitawa of Semuto Town. This brings the total number of completed veteran houses under the project to twelve.

The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Hon. Kabuye Kyofatogabye, State Minister for Kampala; Hon. Najjemba, Woman Member of Parliament for Nakaseke District; and Ms. Rosemary Byabasajja, RDC for Nakaseke. Also in attendance were local leaders, family members of the beneficiaries, and NEC officials. As the government continues to fulfil its promise to the men and women who sacrificed for Uganda’s liberation, the handover of these homes stands as a visible and enduring tribute to their legacy.