Entebbe, Uganda: President Yoweri Museveni has welcomed and endorsed recommendations from a consultation report on cattle compensation in the Teso sub-region, describing the proposals as realistic, inclusive, and transformative.
The President made the remarks on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at State House Entebbe while meeting a delegation led by Vice President Jessica Alupo. The team, which included MPs, cultural and religious leaders, had conducted wide consultations across Teso following public outcry over corruption and inefficiencies in the cattle compensation programme launched in 2022.
“I’m very happy with the substance of the report because it’s more realistic, all-inclusive, and transformative,” President Museveni said. “The other format was wasting a lot of resources and excluding many people. We shall discuss this report in cabinet and also listen to what the people of Lango and Acholi are saying.”
The consultation team, represented by Usuk County MP Hon. Okiror Bosco, recommended a uniform restocking plan of five cows per household or a cash equivalent managed at sub-county level. Teso sub-region, which comprises 12 districts, has an estimated 489,000 households according to the 2024 census.
Okiror explained that the proposed compensation reflects the average market value of cows, with a good female cow priced between UGX 1.5 million and UGX 2 million.
President Museveni backed the plan while acknowledging challenges around polygamous households. “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,” he said. He also clarified that Butebo and Pallisa districts, which petitioned to be included, would be handled separately.
On concerns raised about Balaalo herders in Teso, Museveni was categorical: “They should go. I solved this problem long ago. They have no good reason to stay in those areas illegally.”
Vice President Alupo hailed the consultations as peaceful and comprehensive, adding that residents appreciated the President’s push for a uniform formula. “All the people of Teso unanimously supported the restocking programme. Everybody was thanking you for appreciating that all people deserve to be empowered,” she said.
The cultural leaders present, including His Highness Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot of the Iteso and Won Ateker Papa Kumam Raphael Otaya, expressed gratitude for the government’s engagement and pledged continued partnership in promoting social and economic transformation.
The Attorney General, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, also attended the meeting alongside religious and political leaders.
The cattle compensation programme was launched in March 2022 with a UGX 200 billion budget to compensate households in Acholi, Lango, and Teso that lost livestock and property during past insurgencies and cattle raids. Museveni has repeatedly stressed that the initiative is a special measure for peace, reconciliation, and recovery rather than a routine government programme.
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