May 3rd, 2012
Some of the houses at Makindye Barracks where families of military police officers face eviction. Photo: Abubaker Lubowa.
Families of military police officers living in Makindye Military Police Barracks have up to today to vacate the facility or face eviction, the UPDF has said.
At least 185 families of the officers will be affected, with wives, children and relatives sent out, following an ultimatum issued on Tuesday.
A source who preferred anonymity said a senior officer at the barracks gave the ultimatum, citing congestion due to the increased number of military police officers and their relatives, which has strained available facilities.
Women cry out
A school at the barracks has also been closed, as the military seeks to remain with only its staff members using it.
Wives of the military police officers, have, however, expressed dismay at the decision, saying their husband’s meagre income can not cater for rent, their children’s school fees and other costs.
“Is it our fault that there are not enough housing facilities? Why should we be the victims? Where shall we go in the first place?” a wife to one of the officers, said on condition of anonymity.
Several women spent half of yesterday in the barracks field, with an attempt to walk to Parliament to petition the Speaker, failing due to the tight security at the entrance of the barracks.
The UPDF has, however, advised the affected families to direct their complaints to the Force, instead of running to the media. “Do they own plots in the barracks? If they did own any, then they have reason to complain. Are they seeking to be accommodated by Monitor?” asked army spokesperson Felix Kulayigye. He added: “Why can’t they use the institutional system and appeal so we can have their issues resolved?”
Donors during the mid-1990s castigated the government for excessive expenditure on the army, a non-productive sector, at the expense of crucial sectors like health and education. From 1986 to-date, the Ministry of Defence has been one of the ministries receiving the biggest portion of the national budget.
Concerns have, however, been arising about the welfare of the military personnel and even police officers, most of whom continue to live in grass-thatched huts, dilapidated barracks and inadequate housing facilities compared to the numbers.
Government’s attempts to refurbish and construct up-to-standard barracks has not been adequate.
Source: Daily Monitor
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