The Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Jacob Markson Oboth Oboth, has called on veterans in Tororo District and across the country to mobilise support and vote for President Yoweri Museveni in the upcoming 2026 general elections.
Oboth, who also doubles as the Member of Parliament for West Budama Central, made the appeal on Wednesday afternoon while meeting members of the NRM Tororo Veterans League drawn from 42 administrative units. The gathering took place at Mulanda Secondary School in West Budama Central, Tororo District.
"Veterans, as your Minister, I can assure you that the future is much better now. One of the gains we must jealously protect is voting for President Museveni.
He has offered strategic leadership and guidance to this country. He appointed me, and I have found the work easy because I listen and consult. The President has taken me like his own child, and we have worked as a team with my technical staff," Oboth said.
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The Minister expressed concern that veterans, despite their contribution to national peace and stability are often excluded from government programmes.
"People take you seriously because you are trained. I am surprised that many of you are not allowed to participate in government programs. If there is any form of discrimination, it must be rectified. Veterans are among the people who most deserve to benefit from government initiatives; they fought and defended this country, and the peace we enjoy today is because of their sacrifice," he added.
Oboth also acknowledged challenges within the veterans sector in Tororo, revealing that the district's veterans affairs office is dysfunctional and marred by corruption.
He recommended Rt. Major Simon Peter Eriya for appointment as the Tororo District Veterans Liaison Officer to oversee the welfare and coordination of veterans' issues.
"We do not want to see any veteran suffer in Uganda, including dying from diseases that can be treated. As the Ministry of Defence, we are constructing one of the best hospitals in Africa, and it is already operational," he noted.
On local politics, the Minister urged the people of Tororo, including those who have never voted for President Museveni to support him in appreciation for resolving the long-running district boundary disputes and creating additional districts from the former Greater Tororo.
"For us, we are happy with Mulanda District. We need to empower these districts. As for Tororo City, let it belong to all of us," he said.
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Meanwhile, Brigadier General(Rtd) Emmanuel Musinguzi, who is in charge of veterans affairs nationally, welcomed the engagement with Tororo veterans, saying it provided an opportunity to document issues affecting them.
He noted that many veterans are disgruntled, living in poverty, and some have died due to frustrations leading to excessive drinking, challenges the ministry is committed to addressing.
Mabonga Mike Wambi, Commissioner for Veterans Affairs, described the meeting as long overdue. He said most veterans lack information on the procedures required to resolve their claims.
Mabonga added that the ministry used the opportunity to register previously unregistered veterans through its data system, assuring them that all those who have registered and followed the proper procedures will receive their payments.
Amula Albert, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner of Tororo, encouraged veterans to actively embrace government programmes to improve their livelihoods, noting that current participation levels remain low.
He further appealed to political leaders in the district to promote peace, tolerance, and unity during the election period.
"We need to build a Tororo that is accommodative to everyone," Amula said.
