President Yoweri Museveni has proposed the formation of a select committee of representatives from the Lango subregion to directly engage government on the unresolved issue of cattle compensation.
The President made the proposal on Sunday, August 17, 2025, during a meeting with leaders and residents at Lango College grounds, where frustration mounted over corruption and delays in the program.
“I was recently in Soroti in the Teso subregion 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 cattle compensation program, launched in March 2022 with a budget of UGX 200 billion, was designed to compensate victims in Acholi, Lango, and Teso whose livestock and property were destroyed during past insurgencies. But community leaders say the process has been hijacked by middlemen and riddled with corruption.
President Museveni said compensation was an exceptional initiative aimed at fostering peace and reconciliation, not a standard practice. “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?” he asked.
He noted that the program was compromised when lawyers inflated claims and pocketed funds. “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 added.
Mzee Angello Okello, one of the original petitioners, regretted taking the case 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,” he said.
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,” he said.
Dokolo RDC Barbara Akech reported that 53 beneficiaries had their payments bounce. “We need a new model, something like PDM, where the money can reach people directly,” she said.
George Kamara from Otuke accused the Attorney General’s office of unnecessary bureaucracy and suggested the program be transferred to the Office of the Prime Minister.
The Paramount Chief of Lango, Eng. Dr. Moses Odongo Okune (Won Nyaci), urged the President to 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.
Dr. Okune also praised government efforts to fight poverty, citing a reduction in poverty levels in Lango from 23.4% in 2021/23 to 18.8% today.
Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi reported that since 2014, only UGX 2.5 billion had been released for Lango, with some payments bouncing due to invalid accounts and double claims.
Dr. Samuel Opio Acuti (MP, Kole North), speaking on behalf of Lango leaders, demanded full payment for all verified claimants without age discrimination, structured in clear installments and fast-tracked with set timelines. “This matter touches the bone marrow of issues affecting Lango. We must settle it with certainty and finality,” Hon. Acuti said.
In response to wider concerns, President Museveni promised step-by-step delivery of infrastructure and resources, pledging 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.
He also congratulated Paramount Chief Dr. Okune and pledged continued support to former cultural leader Mzee Yosam Odur.
The President further cautioned against sectarian politics, which he blamed for Uganda’s past instability, urging Lango residents to remain united.
“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,” he said.
The function drew ministers, MPs, RDCs, LC5 chairpersons, cultural leaders, and religious leaders from the region.