President Museveni has endorsed a new cattle compensation plan for the Teso sub-region. The plan, outlined in a report by a committee led by Vice President Jessica Alupo, proposes providing five cows per household or their cash equivalent to around 489,000 households across Teso’s 12 districts.
The president praised the report as realistic and inclusive, addressing previous issues of corruption and inefficiency in the compensation programme. He suggested that male-headed households, including polygamous ones, should receive their share first, with plans to extend benefits as herds grow. The districts of Butebo and Pallisa will be considered separately.
“For me, I would be comfortable with each male-headed unit, whether polygamous or not, first getting their share. Once the cows multiply, those families will be agents of change, and the cows can then be shared. The question is affordability—five cows per family in installments, and then we can look at the extended families,” the president said.
Museveni also addressed concerns about Balaalo herders in Teso, stating they should leave unless they meet legal requirements to ensure community harmony. The committee, which included MPs, cultural leaders like Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot, and religious figures, conducted thorough consultations across Teso.
Alupo told the president that the consultations were conducted comprehensively and without incident. She commended the contribution of cultural leaders, whom she described as resourceful in shaping the final report.
“All the people of Teso unanimously supported the restocking program for every household in the region. Everybody was thanking you for appreciating that all people deserve to be empowered with a uniform formula,” Alupo said.
The initiative, launched in 2022 with a Shs 200 billion budget, aims to support victims of past insurgencies and cattle raids in Teso, Lango, and Acholi, promoting peace and economic recovery.
Museveni said the report will be discussed further in cabinet after incorporating feedback from Lango and Acholi sub regions.
