Hundreds of political, administrative, and opinion leaders from across the Teso Sub-region gathered at Soroti University on Friday morning for a high-profile meeting convened by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to discuss the progress of the government’s cattle compensation programme.
The meeting, which attracted Members of Parliament, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), LCV Chairpersons, Chief Administrative Officers, district councilors, and LCIII Chairpersons, was coordinated by Vice President Maj (Rtd) Jessica Alupo Rose Epel, who hails from Katakwi District in the heart of Teso.
Among the notable figures in attendance were cabinet ministers from Teso, NRM Eastern Region Vice Chairperson aspirant David Calvin Echodu, and other political heavyweights from the sub-region.
President expected at 2:00 pm
The event’s Master of Ceremonies, Soroti City Assistant Resident City Commissioner Stephen Omoding, informed attendees that the President was expected to arrive at exactly 2:00 pm to address the gathering.
Omoding urged participants to remain patient and make use of the time before the President’s arrival to engage in productive networking and consultations on regional development issues.
“This is a rare opportunity for the entire leadership of Teso to be in one place and speak with one voice on a matter that affects the livelihoods of our people,” he said.
The cattle compensation programme, launched by President Museveni on March 27, 2022, at the same venue, aims to compensate households in Teso, Lango, and Acholi sub-regions that lost livestock during decades of insecurity, insurgency, and cattle rustling.
Implemented by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, the programme is viewed as both an economic recovery plan and a gesture of historical redress to communities whose livestock-based livelihoods were devastated.
In hi
s remarks before the President’s arrival, Ssevawa Mukasa the CEC Aspirant for Buganda region thanked local leaders for their cooperation with government programmes aimed at poverty eradication, including the Parish Development Model (PDM), Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), and Emyooga.
“The cattle compensation programme is not just about money, it is about restoring dignity, livelihoods, and economic independence to our people,” he said, urging leaders to work together to accelerate its implementation.
While thousands of households have so far benefited from the programme, leaders acknowledge that the process has faced challenges, including slow verification of claimants, funding shortfalls, and administrative delays.
Several district leaders who spoke on the sidelines of the meeting expressed hope that the President’s personal involvement would lead to faster disbursement of funds and the inclusion of all verified beneficiaries.
Fred Opolot the Pingire County MP said the meeting would also provide a platform to address other related issues affecting the sub-region’s agricultural sector, including restocking strategies and livestock disease control.
Political analysts view the meeting as significant, coming less than a year before the 2026 general elections.
For advertising or to run your news article, contact us on 0785674642 or email: tesonewsnetwork@gmail.com.
About Author
Teso welcomes His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda to this dialogue with the leaders of Teso, Teso loves you,Long Live His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.