Ex-spies seek Shs30b in terminal benefits

Kampala. Former intelligence operatives of the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) have asked government to pay their terminal benefits to enable them have a decent livelihood after service.
Under the Uganda Veterans Internal Security Organisation (UVETISO), the former spies said they are demanding Shs29 billion as balance of the Shs39 billion that court ordered government to pay them.
In March this year, the High Court ordered government to pay the former spies Shs72 billion in gratuity and or terminal benefits and allowances. However, following negotiations between them and government, the amount was reduced to Shs39 billion.
In 2005, the group through their representatives Lawrence Jeff Kiwanuka, Jamal Kitandwe and Bernard Kamugisha sued government seeking payment of their terminal benefits and salary areas.
On Saturday, at a meeting in Kampala chaired by Mr Kiwanuka, the former spies lamented continued suffering which has claimed 400 of their colleagues because of a life of absolute deprivation.
Mr Kiwanuka said the Ministry of Finance released about Shs14 billion as part their payment through the President’s Office but to date the money has not reached their bank accounts.
“We have information that part of our money was disbursed to the President’s Office but our fear is that it may be diverted to finance other activities yet our lists were verified for more than once. We are living miserable lives, some of our colleagues have died and others are bedridden yet they are suffering from curable diseases which need money,” Mr Kiwanuka lamented.
He said the President’s Office is holding the money using delay tactics of purporting to be making further verification of the beneficiaries list yet both the Deputy Attorney General and Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda have okayed the money to be paid to them.
“Our children dropped out of school, families have failed and we are living terrible lives. Even President Museveni allowed our payment because we have never involved ourselves in any wrong activities. All the processes were done, we feel government officials ought to do justice and release our money to allow us develop ourselves,” he said.
When contacted, Mr Willis Bashasha, the acting Secretary in the President’s Office, confirmed the money for the former operatives was released but the process of disbursement is being worked upon.
“All the mechanisms are underway and all the stakeholders are aware. The modalities are being worked upon for payment to be done as soon as it is done,” Mr Bashasha said without elaborating.
In their court case, the former spies successfully challenged their dismissal during the 1994 ‘restructuring’ exercise.
The trial judge, Mr Okumu Wengi, ordered that the former operatives be awarded legal costs incurred and that they are entitled to gratuity, medical and transport allowances, general damages and 10 per cent interest on the monetary awards.