President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has proposed the establishment of a select committee made up of trusted leaders from the Lango subregion to directly engage the government on the unresolved cattle compensation program.
The President made the call during a highly charged meeting at Lango College grounds on Sunday, August 17, 2025, where residents and leaders expressed frustration over delays and corruption that have plagued the initiative.
“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 proposal marked a shift in approach after citizens complained that middlemen and corruption had crippled the current system.
The cattle compensation program was officially launched in March 2022 with a budget of UGX 200 billion to compensate communities in Acholi, Lango, and Teso whose livestock and property were destroyed during past insurgencies.
President Museveni reminded the gathering that the initiative was an exceptional measure, not standard government policy.
“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?” the President asked.
He explained that corruption in earlier phases of the program was fueled by lawyers who inflated claims and diverted funds meant for genuine victims.
“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.
Several community members used the meeting to openly decry the inefficiencies of the process.
Mzee Angello Okello, one of the original petitioners, said he 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,” Okello stated.
Dennis Okwi from Otuke revealed that his district alone had lost UGX 15 billion to middlemen.
“We reject this approach. The best way is to distribute cattle per household,” he declared.
Barbara Akech, Resident District Commissioner 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,” she said.
George Kamara from Otuke accused the Attorney General’s office of unnecessary bureaucracy and suggested that the program be transferred to the Office of the Prime Minister.
The Paramount Chief of Lango, Eng. Dr. Moses Odongo Okune (Won Nyaci), welcomed the President’s initiative but called for urgent closure on 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 urged.
Dr. Okune commended President Museveni for broader poverty-reduction efforts, noting that poverty in Lango had declined from 23.4 percent in 2021/23 to 18.8 percent today.
He expressed confidence that with continued government support, the subregion would achieve greater transformation.
Deputy Attorney General Hon. Jackson Kafuuzi presented a report showing that since 2014, only UGX 2.5 billion had been released to Lango, with some payments failing due to invalid accounts, double claims, and errors in data.
Dr. Samuel Opio Acuti, Member of Parliament for Kole North, presented a memorandum on behalf of Lango leaders calling for full settlement of all verified claims.
“This matter touches the bone marrow of issues affecting Lango. We must settle it with certainty and finality,” Hon. Acuti emphasized.
He proposed that payments be made in no more than three installments, that more data cards be printed for left-out claimants, and that the program be completed within a clear timeline.
In response to wider community concerns, President Museveni reiterated that government resources and infrastructure would continue to be delivered in phases according to priority.
He announced new pledges for 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 newly elected Paramount Chief, Dr. Okune, and promised continued support to former cultural leader Mzee Yosam Odur for his long service.
Museveni cautioned leaders and citizens against sectarian politics, blaming it for Uganda’s instability in the 1950s and 1960s.
“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,” the President warned.
He said peace in Lango today was possible because of the NRM’s political direction and the strength of the national army.
He urged residents to remain patient and united as government works toward resolving the cattle compensation issue.
The meeting was attended by ministers from Lango, Members of Parliament, Resident District Commissioners, LC5 chairpersons, cultural leaders, and religious leaders.
