Teso Opposition, MPs back Museveni’s cattle restocking drive, demand inclusion in monitoring

By Emmanuel Okol

Soroti, Uganda: Opposition leaders and Members of Parliament in Teso sub-region have pledged full support for President Yoweri Museveni’s cattle restocking and rehabilitation programme, a flagship initiative aimed at restoring livelihoods and eradicating poverty in the region.

The leaders made the commitment on Friday, September 12, during a consultative meeting with the cow rehabilitation committee, chaired by Vice President Rtd Maj Jessica Alupo in Soroti, saying the programme should be anchored on established community structures such as clan leaders, LCIs, parish chiefs, and sub-county chiefs to ensure transparency and genuine beneficiary targeting.

Opposition figures emphasized the need for inclusion in monitoring and evaluation, arguing that their participation would prevent favoritism and build trust.

Carlos Peter Ebiau, a Democratic Front Party leader, said the opposition’s involvement would guarantee accountability. “We’re requesting the government to kick off the process of cow restocking and rehabilitation before January 12, 2026. We shall mobilise the masses to support NRM, but if not, the ‘No Cow, No Vote’ campaign will continue,” Ebiau warned.

George Okoit, the National Unity Platform leader in Teso sub-region, urged the government to allow the opposition to form a parallel monitoring committee that would work hand in hand with the government’s.

Lawmakers led by Hon. Alfred Edakasi backed the initiative, urging MPs to spearhead sensitization campaigns to ensure the project benefits all communities without being politicized.

They, however, cautioned against extortion by individuals allegedly charging residents between UGX 2,000 and UGX 15,000 under the guise of registration fees for the programme.

Stella Isodo, Woman MP for Ngora District (FDC), expressed readiness to support the programme, while Christine Apolot, Woman MP for Kumi District, called for clear government strategies on beneficiary selection to avoid unfairness.

In her response, Vice President Alupo applauded the show of unity and pledged government commitment to ensure successful implementation. “We have not started any process of registration, but are still collecting views from various stakeholders. I call upon communities to desist from individuals fraudulently registering people for cows,” Alupo said.

She further appealed to all leaders, including the opposition, to avoid politicizing the programme and instead join hands in mobilizing communities for socio-economic transformation.

VP Alupo also noted that government is prioritizing complementary infrastructure projects in roads, airports, railways, and water systems to support exports and regional development.