UPDF ex-combatants from Gombe Division in Nansana Municipality, formerly a key NRA bush war headquarters in the early 1980s have appealed to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to establish an exclusive presidential skilling hub for veterans’ children and widows. The initiative aims to provide hands-on skills training to help fight entrenched household poverty.
The appeal was made on 22nd December 2025 by Rtd. Maj. Doreen Kamya, one of the key historical female ex-combatants, while giving her testimony during the launch of the Gombe Division Emyooga leaders’ SACCOs and the presidential “I Vote Museveni” mobilization teams. The event was held at Ssenge Full Gospel Church in Gombe Division, Nansana Municipality, Wakiso District.
The function was organized by the Kampala Metropolitan Emyooga SACCO leaders’ presidential mobilization team with the aim of assessing the performance of the Emyooga program, devising means of addressing existing challenges, and canvassing support for the NRM presidential candidate, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, ahead of the 15th January 2026 elections.
Maj. Kamya, who is the Vice Chairperson of the Gombe Veterans Emyooga SACCO, reminded the President that Gombe Division was a key historical bush war headquarters that contributed a large number of fighters. These included Maj. Olivia Zzizinga, Maj. Mukwaya, and Capt. Gertrude Njuba, among other battle-hardened female combatants who played a significant role in the liberation struggle that brought the NRM into power.
She appealed to the President to recognize the contribution of ex-combatants by approving the construction of an exclusive presidential skilling hub for the children of ex-fighters and their widows. The hub would equip them with practical skills to enable them to start their own businesses using Emyooga funds as a deliberate effort to empower them to overcome poverty.
Maj. Kamya noted that they have already established a tailoring facility using Emyooga funds to promote skills training for the girl child of fallen soldiers. However, she said more funding is required to acquire modern tailoring and embroidery machines to boost productivity and incomes.
Rtd. Maj. Zaddy Ntuyo revealed that the division is currently home to over 3,000 veterans, the majority of whom are languishing in abject poverty due to limited resources. He urged the government to increase the Emyooga funding package for veterans, noting that they are the ones who ushered in the peace that the government is now politically mobilizing to protect.
He also appreciated the UPDF for allocating them 100 acres of land in Kabamba for farming and other income-generating projects. However, he noted that the land remains underutilized due to its long distance and the lack of adequate funds for mechanized agriculture.
Collectively, representatives from all 18 Emyooga categories made brief presentations highlighting the benefits of the program and urged the government to increase funding in order to improve and expand their enterprises.
