UPDF veteran abandons eight children after failing to get gratuity
Some of the UPDF veteran's abandoned children pictured in front of their makeshift house in Kayunga District. PHOTO/ FRED MUZAALE
What you need to know:
- Mr Zaidi Bafonza, 54, number RA/ 118292, who retired in 1992 from UPDF a month ago abandoned his eight children in makeshift house on claims that he had failed to get his gratuity, 30 years after leaving the army.
A disgruntled Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) veteran in Bukolooto trading centre in Kayunga Town council, Kayunga District has abandoned his own children after failing to get his pension and gratuity.
Mr Zaidi Bafonza,54, number RA/ 118292, who retired in 1992 from UPDF a month ago abandoned his eight children in makeshift house on claims that he had failed to get his gratuity, 30 years after leaving the army.
The abandoned children are now under the care of their 16-year-old sister. The youngest of the children is aged 4.
The whereabouts of their mother who separated with their father is also unknown.
Mr Bagonza who spoke to this reporter on phone on Tuesday said that after making futile attempts to get his retirement package, he got frustrated and decided to go to Busoga area to look for odd jobs.
“Since 1992 when I retired, I only received Shs5m, which I used to buy that plot where I constructed a makeshift shelter where my children are now living,” Mr Bagonza said.
“I don’t deserve this humiliation after serving my country for years during which time I sustained life threatening injuries on my body. I can’t stay at home and watch my children suffer. When I get money I will come back,” he said.
The former soldier said he has endured severe chest pain for years after falling off a UPDF truck in 1990 when they were ambushed by rebels in Gulu.
He explained that he had tried to pursue his retirement package at Bombo army headquarters in vain.
His 16-year-old daughter who now looks after his siblings said their makeshift house lraks whenever it rains and that it has holes in the walls.
“I do odd jobs to get food for my siblings. We no longer go to school,” she said.
She said that sometimes they sleep on empty stomachs and lack basic necessities like beddings.
The Kayunga Town mayor, Mr Magid Nyanzi, blamed the former soldier for abandoning his children and advised him to return and fend for his family.
“Running away is not the solution to the problem,” Mr Nyanzi said.
Ms Hellen Alikoba, the Kayunga police officer in-charge of children and family protection said acts of child abandonment were on the increase in the area and said they were trying to look for Mr Bagonza to counsel him to return home to look after his children.
The Kayunga deputy RDC, Mr Ronald Mukooza, advised Mr Bagonza to channel his grievances to the concerned officers instead of acting irresponsibly.
“Some UPDF retirees are still chasing their payments and they will get it,” Mr Mukooza said.
But Mr Henry Ssebaggala, the Kayunga District veterans’ programmes officer said that since government had paid him some money, it is an indication that he is recognized.
“He should use my office to pursue his payments. Many of his colleagues have gotten it,” Mr Ssebaggala said.
Lt Col. Ronald Kakurungu, the acting UPDF spokesperson advised Mr Bagonza to go to the ministry of defence and veterans affairs and report his predicament.
According to him, Mr Bagonza can as well report his case to Kayunga chief administrative officer.
"As I speak now there is an exercise going on in all districts to verify all veterans. Some veterans have not gotten their money while others have been getting more money than they are supposed to receive,' Lt Col Kakurungu said.
