President Yoweri Museveni has announced a major shift in government policy on the long-running cattle compensation program, scrapping cash payouts and opting instead for a Restocking and Rehabilitation approach to address historical livestock losses in northern and eastern Uganda.
The President made the announcement while meeting leaders from the Teso sub-region, saying the new strategy will prioritize distributing live cattle to affected households rather than disbursing cash compensation.
“If we took one cow per household, that would benefit about 169,000 homes. If we gave two cows, it would cover about 80,000 homes. Our plan now is to give five cows per home, then later move to rehabilitation so everyone benefits,” Museveni explained.
He emphasized that the shift comes in response to challenges in maintaining accurate records, which have slowed payments and fueled disputes.
Museveni directed leaders to appoint a committee, comprising elders, youth, women, and political leaders, led by Vice President Jessica Alupo and the Ministry of Teso Affairs, to harmonize a fair formula for distributing cattle.
The President made it clear that 28,000 individuals who have already received “a big share” under the existing program will not benefit from the new restocking plan.
“From now onwards, we need a realistic formula so that all homes can get something,” he said, suggesting that five cows per household could be the baseline.
He gave Teso leaders a month to consult widely on the proposal before the government begins budgeting for the new system.
Museveni’s remarks come days after Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi presented an update on the compensation program in Parliament.
According to Kafuuzi, as of June 30, 2025, the government still needs UGX 506.7 billion to settle outstanding claims.
He traced the program’s history back to 2003, when claimants from Acholi, Lango, Teso, and West Nile regions filed lawsuits over livestock lost during the Lord’s Resistance Army insurgency and other conflicts.
Key figures from Kafuuzi’s report include: Total funds planned (2022): UGX 200 billion, Funds actually realized: UGX 150.5 billion and Amount paid out so far: UGX 158.3 billion to 28,281 claimants
Regional payment breakdown: Acholi: 4,836 paid, Lango: 12,398 paid and Teso: 11,056 paid
However, thousands remain unpaid: Acholi: 5,517 claimants (UGX 191 billion needed), Lango: 8,284 claimants (UGX 119 billion needed), Teso: 10,708 claimants (UGX 195 billion needed).
Kafuuzi said significant progress has been made but more time is needed to resolve queries and clear outstanding liabilities.
Stephen Ilemukorit, the Resident District Commissioner for Katakwi, noted that cattle compensation has become a sensitive political issue, especially during election periods.
“Every election cycle, opposition politicians use this matter to attack the NRM because cattle have deep cultural value in these communities,” Ilemukorit said.
He added that delays in compensation have allowed the opposition to exploit the frustration of affected families.
The program currently recognizes three categories of claimants, but only those under the Teso Animals and Property Compensation Organization (TAPCO) are receiving payments, leaving out Teso war victims and unregistered claimants.
Some leaders say the slow process has discouraged many beneficiaries, with some dying before receiving their compensation.
Others accuse the Ministry of Justice of shielding critical payment information from local leaders.
Acham Teddy, an NRM elder from Teso, accused the Ministry of mishandling the process and alleged corruption, including cases where money meant for Soroti claimants was redirected from Lira.
“There are also issues with powers of attorney, where beneficiaries are being denied their rightful payments,” Acham said.
Bosco Okiror, MP for Usuk County and Chairperson of the Teso Parliamentary Group, criticized the exclusion of leaders from the payment chain despite significant funds being released to TAPCO.
“This matter should be handled politically, not through prolonged court battles,” Okiror argued.
“It’s not only about cattle, people lost lives, property, and other assets. We need interparty discussions to agree on a sequential payment plan.”
Some beneficiaries expressed mixed feelings about the payments they have received so far.
Orokode Joseph Joe from Mukura Town Council in Ngora said he received UGX 93 million, but noted that many others in his area got far less than their claims.
Ilado Immaculate from Kalaki said she claimed 130 animals but was compensated for less than 10 cows.
“There is no clear formula in these payments,” she lamented.
Oluka John Michael from Kagwara claimed 44 cows but was paid for only seven.
He also accused banks of refusing to issue beneficiaries with detailed bank statements.
Vice President Jessica Alupo praised the President for his guidance, saying the restocking and rehabilitation plan would ensure a more equitable distribution of benefits across households.
She assured the gathering that consultations would begin immediately to develop a fair and transparent allocation formula.
Museveni’s decision marks a significant departure from the decades-long cash compensation approach.
By focusing on livestock restocking, the government hopes to rebuild the economic base of war-affected communities while avoiding the pitfalls of cash payouts, which have been plagued by bureaucracy, legal disputes, and fraud.
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We’re going to get small animals procured at a high price let’s wait and see
Where are these going to be brought from .. the cattle are going to be brought from the balalo our money taken to develop ankole. Ocan toma ocan
The restocking and rehabilitation efforts being directed by the president is good and normal incentives to level social gaps of the affected communities. This is a normal approach in post war situations across the globe. But the compensation fought for through legal battles cannot be erased by any bodies without the consent of the affected individuals. The compensation arrangements should continue and be concluded as soon as possible.