Museveni Proposes Flat-Rate Cattle Compensation To Rebuild Northern Uganda’s Livestock Wealth

By Frank Kamuntu

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has unveiled a proposal to introduce a flat-rate cattle compensation programme for war-affected households in northern Uganda, marking a significant policy shift from the conventional open-ended claims system.

Addressing campaign rallies in Alebtong and Otuke Districts on Thursday, the President disclosed that he had recently engaged leaders from Lango, Teso and Acholi sub-regions on the idea, which seeks to restore livestock wealth lost during decades of insurgency and cattle rustling.

“On the question of cattle compensation, I suggested to leaders in Lango that each household should be allocated five cows. Some leaders expressed reservations, but the wananchi endorsed the idea, saying Museveni is right. Teso leaders have agreed, Lango has welcomed it, and I await the Acholi response,” the NRM flag bearer stated. “I have already directed government to begin planning for this initiative.”

Museveni underscored that the obliteration of cattle wealth had crippled household livelihoods in the north, and that restitution of herds remains central to socio-economic recovery. At both rallies, he reminded residents that the NRM government’s foremost legacy has been pacifying the country.

“Nobody will be allowed to undermine the hard-earned peace in Lango. National stability is the cornerstone of our development journey,” he affirmed, to chants from the crowds.

Turning to broader economic prospects, Museveni reassured citizens that Uganda’s oil wealth, once commercial production commences, will not be squandered on luxury imports. “When oil comes, I will not allow it to be wasted on whiskey or perfumes. That money will build roads, the railway, electricity, schools, hospitals and security,” he said.

In Alebtong, the President presented a development scorecard for the district, citing ongoing electricity connections, the maintenance of the Lira–Aloi–Apala–Alebtong–Abim road (earmarked for upgrade), 76 government UPE schools, 122 private schools and seven USE secondary schools. He further highlighted government’s wealth creation schemes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Youth Livelihood Fund, Emyooga and the Women Fund, which he said are empowering households to overcome subsistence poverty.

Museveni cautioned citizens not to depend solely on public infrastructure for transformation. “Even if the government tarmacks the road, you do not sleep on the road. You go back home, where poverty may still be waiting. That is why we insist people embrace PDM and Emyooga for their prosperity,” he emphasized.

Uganda’s commercial oil reserves, located in the Albertine Graben, are being developed through joint ventures with international energy firms. Government is constructing production facilities alongside the East African Crude Oil Pipeline to Tanzania’s Tanga Port. Once output begins, projected to generate billions annually, Museveni said revenues will be channeled strictly into infrastructure and social services.