Retired police officers demand pension arrears

Arua, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Some retired police officers in West Nile sub region are concerned over their unpaid pension arrears by the Uganda Police Authority. According to them, some of their colleagues who retired more than 30 years ago have not received their pensions.

The officers who retired from active service at different ranks have expressed dissatisfaction with how their pension processes have been handled.

They raised the concern during the ongoing verification exercise for retired officers for West Nile sub region, that is being held at the former Arua hill division headquarters in Arua city.

Charles Pirwoth who retired in 1987 after serving as a detective constable told URN that he only received his gratuity in 1988, but up to date, his pension has not been paid. He says most of his children are stranded with their education since he lacks money to support their education.

Meanwhile, Godence Ovuru Binega who retired in 2018 at the rank of Assistant commissioner of Police says he received many complaints from his colleagues who retired from service but are yet to get their pension and gratuity. He has however asked the police leadership to ensure quick processing of pension and gratuity for retired officers since many of them have been subjected to unimaginable sufferings.

However, Dorothy Nyandera, the senior Human Resource Officer at Uganda Police Force has blamed the anomalies on missing documents and mismatch of date of birth, which often complicates the payment of their benefits. Nyandera explains that as police, they are focused on improving the welfare of the pensioners.

On Monday this week, the Uganda police force embarked on a nationwide census of its retired and pensionable officers with the aim of updating and cleaning its pension payroll in the ministry of public service.

According to Josephine Angucia, the police spokesperson for West Nile sub region, the ongoing validation exercise will go a long way in strengthening the creation of sustainable policies for police pensioners and bona fide beneficiaries, thereby enhancing the processes of processing benefits for retired officers.

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