SALARY DELAYS: As AMISOM troops go nine months without allowances

SALARY DELAYS: As AMISOM troops go nine months without allowances, the UPDF asks for patience.

The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) has urged the AMISOM Ugandan contingent troops to stay the course as the organization works out the details of how to pay their nine-month allowance arrears.

Ugandan troops have not received their allowances since April 2021, according to reports, including allowances for Uganda Battle Group 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 troops.

According to recent media reports, troops, particularly those of UGABAG30, have expressed dissatisfaction with the UPDF’s delayed payment and have accused the UPDF of’stealing’ their money.

The UPDF, on the other hand, denied the allegations in a statement released on Sunday, January 9, 2022.

“Alleged complaints by some troops of UGABAG 30 that their allowances were’stolen’ by UPDF, as reported by some sections of the media, are baseless and sad,” the UPDF stated in a statement.

The Ugandan government and Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, according to the UPDF, have set up channels with the mission’s backers, the African Union, to ensure that the troops’ arrears are always cleared.

“The unpaid allowances are being processed using the same processes and mechanisms,” UPDF stated.

The UPDF asked all troops to be patient while it works with the AU to resolve the matter.

“We urge all affected troops to keep discipline and patience, as the process of clearing their arrears is already underway, and they will undoubtedly be paid,” says the statement.