The President’s remarks marked a significant shift in approach, as leaders and citizens from the sub-region voiced deep dissatisfaction with the current system, which they said has been captured by middlemen and riddled with corruption.

By Alex Pithua

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has proposed the formation of a select committee of trusted representatives from the Lango sub-region to directly engage the government on the long-standing issue of livestock compensation.

The President made the proposal during a high-level meeting with leaders and residents of Lango at Lango College grounds, on Sunday 17, August, 2025 where emotions ran high over delays, and frustrations surrounding the compensation program.

“I was recently in Soroti in the Teso sub-region and heard the same concerns. I think the best way now is for you to select very reliable people who will represent you in Kampala so that we can conclude this

matter once and for all,” President Museveni told the gathering.

The President’s remarks marked a significant shift in approach, as leaders and citizens from the sub-region voiced deep dissatisfaction with the current system, which they said has been captured by middlemen and riddled with corruption.

The cattle compensation program, officially launched in March 2022 with a budget of UGX 200 billion, was meant to compensate victims in Acholi, Lango, and Teso whose livestock and property were destroyed during past insurgencies and conflicts.

President Museveni stressed that the initiative was not a standard government practice but rather an exceptional measure to foster peace and reconciliation.

“In most countries, compensation is not done for wars or natural disasters. In the 1979 war, Mbarara was destroyed, Masaka was flattened, and in Luwero we have 33 mass graves with over 330,000 people killed. If we were to compensate all those, how would we manage?” H.E Museveni asked.

According to the President, the process was originally compromised when lawyers inflated claims and pocketed money meant for beneficiaries.

“That is why we insisted on direct payments. So far, 169 billion shillings has been spent. But we still need 506 billion shillings for verified claims and another 275 billion shillings for unverified ones – close to 800 billion shillings in total,” he said.

Leaders wave to President Museveni recently as he engage them on cattle war claims

Community Outcry:

Several local leaders and residents openly decried corruption and inefficiencies in the compensation process, claiming that much of the money announced has not reached the intended beneficiaries.

Mzee Angello Okello, one of the original petitioners in the compensation case, regretted taking the matter to court.

“The lawyers took advantage and stole money meant for the poor. We ask that you cancel the current process and find another way to rehabilitate the region.”

Dennis Okwi revealed that Otuke District alone lost UGX 15 billion to middlemen.

“We reject this approach. The best way is to distribute cattle per household.”

Barbara Akech, RDC for Dokolo, reported that 53 beneficiaries had their payments bounce.

“We need a new model, something like PDM, where the money can reach people directly.”

George Kamara from Otuke accused the Attorney General’s office of unnecessary bureaucracy, proposing that the program be transferred to the Office of the Prime Minister.

The voices painted a picture of widespread mistrust, with several leaders warning that without reform, the exercise would continue benefiting elites at the expense of genuine war victims.

The Paramount Chief of Lango, Eng. Dr. Moses Odongo Okune (Won Nyaci), praised the President for initiating the program but urged him to decisively conclude the matter.

“The heads of families who lost cattle have, in many cases, passed away, leaving children and grandchildren still waiting. Let us take decisive action so that this matter has a beginning and an end,” he said, while appealing for patience from his people.

Dr. Okune also commended President Museveni for poverty-reduction efforts, citing statistics showing that poverty in Lango had dropped from 23.4% in 2021/23 to 18.8% today. He expressed confidence that with President Museveni’s continued leadership, the subregion would witness greater transformation.

The Deputy Attorney General, Hon. Jackson Kafuuzi, presented a status report indicating that since 2014, only UGX 2.5 billion had been released for Lango, with some payments bouncing due to invalid accounts, double claims, or inconsistencies in data.

Dr. Samuel Opio Acuti (MP, Kole North), presenting a memorandum on behalf of Lango leaders, called for full payment of all verified claimants without age discrimination, clear payment plans in a maximum of three installments for transparency, printing of additional data cards for those left out and fast-tracking the program with defined timelines. “This matter touches the bone marrow of issues affecting Lango. We must settle it with certainty and finality,” Hon. Acuti emphasized.

In response to other concerns, President Museveni emphasized that infrastructure and resources could only be delivered step by step through prioritization, rather than raising unrealistic expectations.

He made specific pledges to the subregion, including: A bus for Lango footballers, UGX 50 million to the Agong Foundation of Lango Queen Margaret Odwar and UGX 550 million to the SACCO of clan heads

under the Lango cultural institution.

The President also congratulated the recently elected Paramount Chief, Dr. Okune, and pledged continued support to former cultural leader Mzee Yosam Odur for his long service.

President Museveni used the meeting to caution against sectarian politics, which he blamed for Uganda’s past instability. He traced the roots of bad politics to the 1950s and 1960s when parties like DP, UPC, and Kabaka Yekka were founded on religious and tribal lines.

“Once you take the line of sectarianism, you are committing suicide. That wrong politics damaged our parties and institutions. That is why the NRM insists on patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic

transformation, and democracy,” President Museveni said.

He attributed peace in Lango today to the NRM’s correct politics and a strong national army, urging the people to remain patient and united as the government works to resolve the compensation issue.

The function was also attended by Ministers from Lango, Members of Parliament, Resident District Commissioners, LC5 chairpersons, cultural leaders and religious leaders.

Alex Pithua is News Editor at Zoomer Africa