Maj Gen Bamuze’s family in pain over unfulfilled pledges

Highlights

• Since Bamuze died in 2015, the pledges remain unfulfilled
• The President also promised to provide scholarships for children of late up to university and this has not been achieved

By Elema Robert

The family members of late Maj Gen. Ali Bamuze and the district leaders are in pain as they have continued to wait in vain for the fulfilment of pledges made by the government since 2015.

Maj Gen Ali Bamuze died on October 4, 2015 and during his burial, the president made a statement to support the family. The pledges are yet to be fulfilled.

Rashid Ojoatre the family representative said: “The president that time directed the then CDF, Gen Katumba Wamala to construct a house for our brother, father, in Yumbe and the renovation for the one in Kampala to accommodate the widows and the orphans. Nine years down the road, this has not happened.”

He added: “We therefore pray that the directive of the President for the construction of the house in Yumbe and the renovation for the one in Kampala during the state burial should be fulfilled.”

Unfulfilled pledges

Ojoatre said: “The President also promised to provide scholarships for children of late up to University and this has not been achieved. As a family, we therefore remind him through you (Prime Minister) that scholarships should be given to the children of the family to progress with their education and employment.”

“The promise of restocking the family ranch with cattle was a personal initiative of the President of Uganda and the then CDF, Gen Wamala since Late Gen Bamuze was a farmer. This has not been implemented yet.” 

Out of the numerous promises made, the family only received a van (NOAH) that is now even in a dangerous mechanical condition.

The Yumbe district chairperson, Mr Abdulmutwalib Asiku, said from 1979 to 2002, Yumbe has been characterized by insurgencies rising from a number of rebel groups including West Nile Bank Front (WNBF) and Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF).

He said it was until 2002, when the government of Uganda signed a comprehensive peace agreement with the UNRF II led by late Maj Gen Ali Bamuze and that this historic peace agreement showed relative peace return to Yumbe and West Nile.

“We are recognizing a man whom the president has regarded as an icon of peace and hero. We have seen the misery of this home and the structures that are in a sorry state,” he said.

Melsa Naima Avako, the Woman Member of Parliament for Yumbe district is hopeful that the family of late Maj Gen Ali Bamuze would receive the pledges.

“This family of late Maj Gen Ali Bamuze had some gaps since the time of his demise and the family had been expecting some support from the president but nothing has so far been done. One day, I know all the needs of the family will be handled by the president,” she said.

During the memorial service, President Museveni was represented by the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja.

In a speech read for him by the Prime Minister before the mourners, the president said, late Maj Gen Ali Bamuze is still remembered as a person who touched the hearts of the people by action through his commitment and zeal to ensure peace prevailed.

“The late Gen Bamuze served the army diligently in different capacities with commendable discipline and professionalism. Just before he passed on, he was overseeing the ex-combatants, he was dedicated to peace building, reconciliation and social economic development.”  

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Responses about the pledges 

While meeting the family, Prime Minister, Ms Nabbanja said the government/president is committed to helping the family of late Gen Bamuze.

At the meeting, the Prime Minister delivered UShs 30million to support the family and the president pledged to support the family with UShs 100million.

“The UShs 100 million Museveni has pledged to give, is to cater for the widows and the children to do business so that they fight poverty, and the money should be utilized properly. I want to inform you that the house for the family will be constructed. We shall send the UPDF brigade to the construction,” she said.

She added: “We will decide on how the children will be supported in their education. The family has been asked to identify five children of the late for employment opportunities.”