Jonathan Isanga Mugeere mwanajeshi mkongwe mwenye umri wa miaka 72 anayeishi katika Wilaya ya Luuka, ametoa wito kwa Rais Museveni kutekeleza Ahadi alizotoa mwishoni mwa mapambano ya Ukombozi ya Jeshi la NRA mwaka 1986 ikiwemo nyumba ya kisasa, gari na ardhi, akidai ni miongo minne sasa ahadi hizo kutekelezwa huku akiishi katika umasikini licha ya kufuatilia bila mafanikio.
Mugere anadai kuwa na nyaraka za Ushahidi ikiwemo barua rasmi inayoonyesha kuwa Mei 2010, kesi yake iliwasilishwa kwa aliyekuwa Mshauri wa Rais Luteni Jenerali (mstaafu) Proscovia Nalweyiso kwa uhakiki na hatua zaidi, lakini bado hakupata msaada.
Mkuu wa Wilaya ya Luuka (RDC), Rogers Ntogona, alithibitisha kuwa Mugeere anatambulika rasmi kama mnufaika wa mpango wa kusaidia wahanga wa Lakwena, lakini malipo yake yamekwama kutokana na zoezi la uhakiki linaloendelea kwa amri ya Ikulu.
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A 72-year-old bush war veteran in Luuka District, Eastern Uganda has made a renewed appeal to President Museveni to fulfil promises he made at the end of the National Resistance Army (NRA) liberation struggle, saying decades later, he remains trapped in poverty with little to show for his contribution to the country.
Mr Jonathan Isanga Mugeere, a resident of Nakiswiga Village in Nawampiti Sub-county, says he was among youthful fighters who confronted the rebels of the late Alice Auma Lakwena in the Busoga sub-region.
Lakwena was a Ugandan spirit medium who, as the head of the Holy Spirit Movement, led a millennial rebellion against the government forces of Mr Museveni from August 1986 until November 1987.
Mr Mugeere recalls that when the NRA took power in 1986, Mr Museveni pledged to support him with construction of a modern house, land, a motor vehicle and other income-generating ventures.
However, Mr Mugeere says decades later those promises have never been fulfilled.
Now battling diabetes, septuagenarian lives with his family in a small wattle and daub house.
He says he has spent years knocking on doors of various government offices in pursuit of the pledged support, but his efforts have been fruitless.
"I have followed up on this matter for a long time, but nothing has come out of it," he said.
According to Mugeere, efforts to meet the relevant officials often proved futile, as they were frequently engaged in other duties.
Over time, he says he lost hope, noting that some of the intended beneficiaries, including his father, Ismeal Ngobi, died before receiving any support as had been promised by Mr Museveni who was declared the winner of the January 2026, extending his rule beyond four decades.
The veteran says he has also sought intervention from successive Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) in Luuka, but they have given him is hope and promises that he fears may never be fulfilled. He is now calling on the President to personally intervene and ensure the pledges he made are honoured.
Mr Mugeere describes his current living conditions as challenging, saying he is struggling to provide for his large family. He has been unable to complete a three-bedroom house he started constructing, forcing them to live in a cramped structure.
Mr Mugeere adds that he has documentary evidence to support his claim, including official correspondence indicating that his case was at one point referred to the Presidential Advisor on Veterans Affairs, Lt. Gen (rtd) Proscovia Nalweyiso, for verification and possible action.
Despite this, he says no assistance has been extended to him.
He further claims that the pledges were not made to him alone, but to a group of 12 individuals in the Busoga sub-region. However, repeated attempts to follow up on the matter were unsuccessful.
His situation has also affected his children's education. One of his daughters dropped out of school in Senior One due to lack of fees, while Mr Mugeere himself says he cannot afford medical care because he lacks a stable income generating activity.
Documents seen by this publication include a letter dated May 3, 2010, from the Principal Private Secretary to the President, addressed to the Presidential Advisor on Veterans Affairs, requesting verification of Mr Mugeere's claims before appropriate action could be taken.
There are also records relating to his registration as a beneficiary among victims of the Lakwena insurgency.
Mr Mugeere's wife Fidah Namunana, says the family's situation has drawn ridicule from some members of the community.
"People laugh at us because my husband fought in the liberation struggle, but we are still suffering," she said.
She appealed to the relevant authorities to intervene, citing the family's struggles with housing and meeting school fees for their children.
Their daughter, Dezilanta Namukaya, who dropped out of school, expressed frustration over her interrupted education, saying she fears her future bleak.
"I want to go back to school, but my parents cannot afford the fees," she said, appealing to well-wishers for support.
Luuka RDC, Mr Rogers Ntogona, confirmed that Mugeere is among those listed as beneficiaries under the Lakwena victims' support programme.
He said the veteran should remain patient, noting that the Minister directed the Presidency to verify the list of beneficiaries, after which those eligible will receive their compensation.
Source: Daily monitor
Mugere anadai kuwa na nyaraka za Ushahidi ikiwemo barua rasmi inayoonyesha kuwa Mei 2010, kesi yake iliwasilishwa kwa aliyekuwa Mshauri wa Rais Luteni Jenerali (mstaafu) Proscovia Nalweyiso kwa uhakiki na hatua zaidi, lakini bado hakupata msaada.
Mkuu wa Wilaya ya Luuka (RDC), Rogers Ntogona, alithibitisha kuwa Mugeere anatambulika rasmi kama mnufaika wa mpango wa kusaidia wahanga wa Lakwena, lakini malipo yake yamekwama kutokana na zoezi la uhakiki linaloendelea kwa amri ya Ikulu.
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A 72-year-old bush war veteran in Luuka District, Eastern Uganda has made a renewed appeal to President Museveni to fulfil promises he made at the end of the National Resistance Army (NRA) liberation struggle, saying decades later, he remains trapped in poverty with little to show for his contribution to the country.
Mr Jonathan Isanga Mugeere, a resident of Nakiswiga Village in Nawampiti Sub-county, says he was among youthful fighters who confronted the rebels of the late Alice Auma Lakwena in the Busoga sub-region.
Lakwena was a Ugandan spirit medium who, as the head of the Holy Spirit Movement, led a millennial rebellion against the government forces of Mr Museveni from August 1986 until November 1987.
Mr Mugeere recalls that when the NRA took power in 1986, Mr Museveni pledged to support him with construction of a modern house, land, a motor vehicle and other income-generating ventures.
However, Mr Mugeere says decades later those promises have never been fulfilled.
Now battling diabetes, septuagenarian lives with his family in a small wattle and daub house.
He says he has spent years knocking on doors of various government offices in pursuit of the pledged support, but his efforts have been fruitless.
"I have followed up on this matter for a long time, but nothing has come out of it," he said.
According to Mugeere, efforts to meet the relevant officials often proved futile, as they were frequently engaged in other duties.
Over time, he says he lost hope, noting that some of the intended beneficiaries, including his father, Ismeal Ngobi, died before receiving any support as had been promised by Mr Museveni who was declared the winner of the January 2026, extending his rule beyond four decades.
The veteran says he has also sought intervention from successive Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) in Luuka, but they have given him is hope and promises that he fears may never be fulfilled. He is now calling on the President to personally intervene and ensure the pledges he made are honoured.
Mr Mugeere describes his current living conditions as challenging, saying he is struggling to provide for his large family. He has been unable to complete a three-bedroom house he started constructing, forcing them to live in a cramped structure.
Mr Mugeere adds that he has documentary evidence to support his claim, including official correspondence indicating that his case was at one point referred to the Presidential Advisor on Veterans Affairs, Lt. Gen (rtd) Proscovia Nalweyiso, for verification and possible action.
Despite this, he says no assistance has been extended to him.
He further claims that the pledges were not made to him alone, but to a group of 12 individuals in the Busoga sub-region. However, repeated attempts to follow up on the matter were unsuccessful.
His situation has also affected his children's education. One of his daughters dropped out of school in Senior One due to lack of fees, while Mr Mugeere himself says he cannot afford medical care because he lacks a stable income generating activity.
Documents seen by this publication include a letter dated May 3, 2010, from the Principal Private Secretary to the President, addressed to the Presidential Advisor on Veterans Affairs, requesting verification of Mr Mugeere's claims before appropriate action could be taken.
There are also records relating to his registration as a beneficiary among victims of the Lakwena insurgency.
Mr Mugeere's wife Fidah Namunana, says the family's situation has drawn ridicule from some members of the community.
"People laugh at us because my husband fought in the liberation struggle, but we are still suffering," she said.
She appealed to the relevant authorities to intervene, citing the family's struggles with housing and meeting school fees for their children.
Their daughter, Dezilanta Namukaya, who dropped out of school, expressed frustration over her interrupted education, saying she fears her future bleak.
"I want to go back to school, but my parents cannot afford the fees," she said, appealing to well-wishers for support.
Luuka RDC, Mr Rogers Ntogona, confirmed that Mugeere is among those listed as beneficiaries under the Lakwena victims' support programme.
He said the veteran should remain patient, noting that the Minister directed the Presidency to verify the list of beneficiaries, after which those eligible will receive their compensation.
Source: Daily monitor
