President Yoweri Museveni has ordered for aone-month audit and verification of all cattle compensation claimants in Northern Uganda as government seeks to streamline the rehabilitation program for war-affected families.
The President issued the directive on Monday while meeting leaders from the Acholi sub-region in Gulu District. He said publishing lists of both paid and pending claimants in every sub-county would expose fraud and enhance transparency.
“Let us all see the 4,000 who were paid in Acholi and how much they were paid, and also the 12,000 who are not yet paid but approved so that we do mass verification,” Museveni said.
The initiative, launched in 2022, was meant to compensate families in Acholi, Lango, and Teso that lost livestock during past insurgencies, including the Lord’s Resistance Army war. To date, more than 28,000 claimants have been paid, while 16,000 await the next budget allocation. However, an additional 12,000 names have emerged, creating fresh concerns over inflated lists.
Museveni questioned the integrity of the process, noting that Shs150 billion had already been spent, yet more than Shs500 billion was still being demanded. He redefined the exercise as a rehabilitation scheme rather than a compensation program.
“In other parts of the world, you cannot compensate for war or for natural disasters like earthquakes,” the President said.
He also cautioned Acholi leaders against sectarian politics.
“Once you bring the politics of tribe and religion, the first casualty is politics. There’s no religion in Uganda which is even 40 percent of the population or a tribe which is 20 percent,” Museveni stated.
The President further called on communities to prioritize education, warning that those blocking the full implementation of Universal Primary Education were sabotaging the future of children.
Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao highlighted the region’s past struggles, blaming “messy politics” for insecurity that left Acholi dependent on food aid despite fertile land. He also pointed out that opportunists, including lawyers, had worsened confusion in the compensation process.
State Minister for Northern Uganda Dr. Kenneth Omona praised Museveni’s message of wealth creation, saying it had transformed lives in Acholi and beyond. “If there’s anybody who has never heard your message, then he is underage, or in prison,” he said.
Kilak North MP Anthony Akol thanked the President for restoring peace and for programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga. He reported that over 19,000 heads of cattle had already been driven away in compliance with Executive Orders on charcoal burning and Balaalo herdsmen, though some violations persist.
Paramount Chief of Acholi, Rwot David Onen Acana II, said Shs3.8 trillion had been injected into the region since the rehabilitation program began but with limited results due to corruption and weak governance. He commended ongoing government programs but stressed the need for stronger accountability.