By Okidi Patrick
KAMPALA, UGANDA – April 30, 2026: Since her appointment in 2021, the Minister of State for Defence incharge Veteran Affairs, Hon. Huda Abason Oleru, has spearheaded a series of landmark reforms that have significantly improved the livelihoods of Uganda’s military veterans.
From clearing a massive pension backlog to securing multi-billion shilling capital for veteran-led enterprises, Oleru’s tenure is being hailed as a success for the country’s retired servicemen and women.
Sh7b Boost for Veteran SACCOs:
Under her strategic leadership, the Ministry has secured over Sh7 billion to capitalize veteran Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs). This funding, channeled through the “Food and Animal Feed” program, has empowered at least 53 veteran SACCOs across the country to engage in commercial farming and value addition.
To support this economic drive, Minister Hon Oleru successfully coordinated with the UPDF top leadership to allocate vast tracts of land for veteran agricultural schemes. These fertile lands in Kabamba, Kyangwali, Katta (Bulambuli), and Gulu are now hubs for agricultural productivity, ensuring both food security and household wealth for veterans.
Pension Reforms and Arrears Clearance:
Minister Oleru has also been a fierce advocate for veteran welfare in the corridors of power. By lobbying the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, she secured an increase in the annual gratuity release.
As a result, by the 2024/2025 financial year, the backlog of veteran arrears was reduced by a significant percentage. To bring services closer to the people, she strengthened Zonal Pension Offices, ensuring that veterans no longer have to travel long distances to resolve their grievances.
Digitization and Ghost Cleanup
In a move to ensure transparency and accountability, the Minister oversaw the digitization of the veteran database. This cleanup exercise has effectively eliminated “ghost” claimants and fraud, ensuring that government funds reach only the rightful beneficiaries.
“Our goal has been to ensure that those who served this country with honour retire with dignity and the means to support their families,” a source from the Ministry noted.
She urged every vetera to join tge four gectrea modal and work hand in hand with NRM governmwnt for socio economic transfornation as ehas always been emphasised by H.E. the president of the Republic of Uganda.
As she moves forward, Hon. Oleru’s focus remains on consolidating and protecting these gains, with plans to expand the veteran empowerment model to every sub-region in Uganda to ensure no veteran is left behind.
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