President Museveni has called for fair distribution of the Teso cattle compensation fund to benefit all households, rather than concentrating funds among a few claimants.
Speaking at Soroti University, he described the compensation as rehabilitation for cattle losses due to past wars, emphasizing direct payments to households to avoid excessive legal fees.
Museveni proposed distributing the remaining Shs 169 billion equitably among Teso’s 69,000 households, excluding the 28,000 already compensated. He suggested each household could receive 2–3 cows, valued at Shs 1 million each, with a potential increase to five cows through phased disbursements.
“The fund could cover 169,000 cows… we should form a committee of elders, youth, and women to ensure fairness,” he said.
Vice President Jessica Alupo praised Museveni’s leadership for restoring peace in Teso, crediting the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi noted the compensation process now involves local verification at village and district levels, bypassing court-mediated settlements.
Claimants fill bio-data cards, which are verified by local council committees, chief administrative officers, and district officers.
Since the Cattle Compensation Initiative began in March 2022, Shs 506.7 billion has been disbursed, including Shs 128.3 billion for 28,281 payments in the latest round. However, 24,509 verified claimants await Shs 506.69 billion due to issues like incorrect bank details.
Bosco Okiror, MP for Usuk, urged transparency and faster resolution of legal disputes, suggesting phased payments for large claims.
“Compensation extends beyond cattle to loss of life and property,” he said, advocating for a holistic approach.
