Resource information
Veterans and their dependents
constituted a particularly vulnerable group due to their
lack of civic awareness, low skill level and few resources,
a culture of dependency, and their potential threat to
security. The Uganda Veterans Assistance Program (UVAB)
assistance consisted of three components: demobilization,
reinsertion assistance (a transitional safety net cash
equivalent to meet basic needs for a six-month period or one
crop-growing season) and reintegration (in particular
counseling and training). In conjunction with the general
availability of land, the reinsertion assistance provides
the means for the successful economic reintegration of the
majority of veterans and their families. Social
reintegration proved more difficult, and many veterans had
to overcome initial community resentment and mistrust,
despite sensitization activities involving high-ranking
government officials. The communities finally accepted the
returning veterans as, contrary to their expectations, only
few have shown antisocial behavior. The crime rate among
veterans is below the national average, and in many cases,
the presence of veterans has actually improved the security
situation. While it is too early to determine whether the
long-term reintegration of veterans has been achieved, the
recently completed program is widely hailed as a success.
Political will, needs-based planning and donor coordination
through the World Bank culminated in timely and effective
program completion.
