Museveni Proposes Cattle Compensation Committee in Lango
- Lango subregion residents voiced deep frustration over delays in receiving livestock compensation during a meeting with President Yoweri Museveni on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at Lango College grounds.
- The President's proposal marks a significant departure from the current system, which has been widely criticized for being susceptible to corruption and exploitation by middlemen. Residents and local...
- president Museveni acknowledged the issues, explaining that the initial process was compromised when legal representatives inflated claims.
Museveni Proposes New Committee to Resolve Lango Livestock Compensation Crisis
Years of Frustration Boil Over
Lango subregion residents voiced deep frustration over delays in receiving livestock compensation during a meeting with President Yoweri Museveni on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at Lango College grounds. The President responded by proposing the formation of a select committee comprised of trusted local representatives to directly engage with the government and expedite a resolution to the long-standing issue.
A Shift in Approach Amidst Allegations of Corruption
The President’s proposal marks a significant departure from the current system, which has been widely criticized for being susceptible to corruption and exploitation by middlemen. Residents and local leaders openly accused intermediaries of diverting funds intended for victims. Mr. Dennis Okwi revealed that Otuke District alone lost UGX 15 billion to such practices. Mzee angello Okello,an original petitioner,expressed regret for pursuing the matter through the courts,stating that lawyers exploited the situation for personal gain.
president Museveni acknowledged the issues, explaining that the initial process was compromised when legal representatives inflated claims. He emphasized the government’s shift towards direct payments to beneficiaries in an effort to curb such abuses.
The Scale of the Compensation Challenge
The cattle compensation program, launched in March 2022, was intended to provide redress for losses suffered by communities in Acholi, Lango, and Teso due to past insurgencies and conflicts. However, the process has been plagued by delays and bureaucratic hurdles. According to the Deputy Attorney General, Hon. Jackson Kafuuzi, only UGX 2.5 billion had been released to Lango since 2014, with payments frequently bouncing due to invalid account details, duplicate claims, and data inconsistencies.
As of August 2025, a total of UGX 169 billion has been disbursed, leaving a substantial shortfall. the President stated that an additional UGX 506 billion is needed to cover verified claims, and a further UGX 275 billion is required for unverified claims, bringing the total outstanding amount to approximately UGX 800 billion.
| Category | Amount (UGX Billions) |
|---|---|
| Initial Budget (2022) | 200 |
| Disbursed to Date | 169 |
| Verified Claims Outstanding | 506 |
| Unverified claims Outstanding | 275 |
| Total Outstanding | 800 |
Calls for Reform and Transparency
Local leaders are demanding a more efficient and transparent system. Dr. Samuel Opio Acuti (MP, Kole North), speaking on behalf of Lango leaders, called for full payment to all verified claimants without age discrimination, a clear payment plan with a maximum of three installments, and the issuance of additional data cards for those initially excluded. Others, like Mr. George Kamara from Otuke, suggested transferring the program from the Attorney General’s office to the Office of the Prime Minister to streamline the process.
Barbara Akech, RDC for Dokolo, highlighted the practical challenges, reporting that 53 beneficiaries had their payments rejected. She advocated for a model similar to the Parish Development Model (PDM) to ensure direct delivery of funds to recipients.
President Museveni’s Pledges and broader Context
Beyond addressing the compensation issue, President Museveni made several pledges to the Lango subregion, including a bus for Lango footballers, UGX 50 million for the agong Foundation of Lango Queen Margaret Odwar, and UGX 550 million for the SACCO of clan heads under the Lango cultural institution. He also congratulated the newly elected Paramount Chief, Dr. Moses Odongo Okune, and pledged continued support for his predecessor, Mzee Yosam odur.
The President also cautioned against sectarian politics,linking it to past instability in Uganda. He underscored the NRM’s commitment to patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation, and democracy as pillars of national unity and progress.He noted that poverty in Lango has decreased from 23.4% in 2021/23 to 18.8% today, attributing this progress to the NRM’s policies.