Injured UPDF soldier cries out for help

Cpl Wakibi Maliki (R) with his family in front of their only grass-thatched house in Busia District. Photo by Joseph Omollo

BUSIA- A Ugandan soldier who sustained injuries after the 2014 bomb explosion in Somalia is in despair after the army allegedly neglected him.

Cpl Maliki Wakibi, a resident of Kareu village in Buteba Sub-county, Busia District, claims he sustained injuries on the arm, thigh, foot and ear during the bomb attack on their African Union Mision to Somali a (Amisom) camp in Mogadishu.
Cpl Wakibi said since he was brought back to Uganda, government has never rendered him any medical support.

“I am required to go for medical examination every month, which costs Shs700,000 at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi,” Cpl Wakibi said on Sunday.

The father of 10 children resides in a leaking grass-thatched house. He claims he no longer gets the salary he is entitled to as a soldier.

However, the 3rd Division UPDF spokesperson, Cpt Michael Minjo, dismissed the allegations, saying all soldiers who are injured are paid by the African Union.

“It’s unfortunate to get such reports that are false because it is a sure deal that when a UPDF officer is injured from there, Amisom pays that person and I know he got the money but could have misused it,” said Cpt Minjo in an interview .