Veterans and their dependentsconstituted a particularly vulnerable group due to theirlack of civic awareness, low skill level and few resources,a culture of dependency, and their potential threat tosecurity. The Uganda Veterans Assistance Program (UVAB)assistance consisted of three components: demobilization,reinsertion assistance (a transitional safety net cashequivalent to meet basic needs for a six-month period or onecrop-growing season) and reintegration (in particularcounseling and training). In conjunction with the generalavailability of land, the reinsertion assistance providesthe means for the successful economic reintegration of themajority of veterans and their families. Socialreintegration proved more difficult, and many veterans hadto overcome initial community resentment and mistrust,despite sensitization activities involving high-rankinggovernment officials. The communities finally accepted thereturning veterans as, contrary to their expectations, onlyfew have shown antisocial behavior. The crime rate amongveterans is below the national average, and in many cases,the presence of veterans has actually improved the securitysituation. While it is too early to determine whether thelong-term reintegration of veterans has been achieved, therecently completed program is widely hailed as a success.Political will, needs-based planning and donor coordinationthrough the World Bank culminated in timely and effectiveprogram completion.
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