SOMALIA: Government to verify families of  fallen UPDF soldiers for compensation

Government will verify and process compensation for families of Ugandan soldiers who died while serving in Somalia, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has told Parliament.

The Prime Minister made the commitment during Prime Minister’s Question Time in Parliament on Thursday, 9 July 2026.
The sitting was chaired by the Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa.

Premier Nabbanja was responding to a concern raised by Kilak South County, Member of Parliament, Hon. Gilbert Olanya (FDC), over unpaid arrears and delayed compensation for soldiers serving under the African Union mission in Somalia.

Olanya said many Ugandan soldiers had continued to serve diligently in Somalia, but some returned home without receiving their full payments, while others died in the line of duty.

“We have our sons and daughters who work diligently in Somalia. Others are brought back. Unfortunately, others were killed. I would like to know the government plan in paying the arrears of those ones who were not paid from Somalia up to now,” Olanya said.

Nabbanja said government had engaged the African Union (AU) and international partners to address the issue of delayed payments to Ugandan troops serving in Somalia.

“In February this year, I was delegated by the President to go to Ethiopia, meet the African Union, because, as you are aware, we had taken a long period of time when our soldiers were not being paid,” Nabbanja said.

She said the intervention had yielded results, with the AU and partners supporting Uganda to clear outstanding payments owed to soldiers.

“I am happy to report that African Union and our partners have since supported the government of Uganda to pay our people,” she said.

However, the Prime Minister asked Parliament to provide details of soldiers who died while serving, saying this would help government properly handle compensation claims.

“I would like to get the names of those people who were affected, especially those who died while on duty, so that the process of compensation can be done properly,” Nabbanja said.

Meanwhile government is also preparing emergency interventions to address a looming famine in parts of the Greater North and water shortages affecting cattle corridors across the country, the Prime Minister said.
Agago County MP, Hon. Edward Makmot warned that communities in the Greater North were facing a serious hunger crisis, with some people already starving.

Nabbanja said Karamoja had experienced severe drought, with some areas receiving no rainfall since April.

She said government had prepared a Cabinet Paper on the situation and would expand its assessment after receiving reports that the crisis was affecting more areas.

The Prime Minister added that government was working with the Ministry of Agriculture and local governments on interventions, including promoting quick-maturing seeds to support food production.

Meanwhile, the Older Persons Representative, Hon. James Kakooza raised concerns over the effects of climate change on cattle corridors, warning that water shortages were threatening livestock and dairy production.

In response, Nabbanja said she had organised a meeting involving the ministries of Water, Agriculture and Local Government to address the crisis.
She said government would deploy available water bowsers to support water-stressed communities and pastoralists during the dry period.

“The few water bowsers in the country will be provided so that the communities… can survive during this period,” Nabbanja said.

 

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