The government is considering setting up a high-level committee to oversee the long-delayed cattle compensation program in Teso, following renewed concerns from leaders and beneficiaries over fairness and efficiency in the current system.
Speaking to NBS TV, the Minister of State for Works, Musa Ecweru, said that during President Museveni’s recent visit to Teso, he tasked Vice President Jessica Alupo with initiating efforts to form a committee that would include representatives from every district in the region.
According to Ecweru, the new body is intended to ensure inclusivity across communities and denominations, while bringing the long-debated compensation program closer to households that lost livestock during past insurgencies and cattle raids.
Ecweru, who attended the engagements, stressed the importance of accountability and transparency, noting that disparities in past payouts had raised public doubts.
“Somebody received 92 million shillings without disclosing how many cows were lost, while another person got only seven cows compensated after losing 120.
This leaves communities questioning the fairness of the process,” one local leader observed.
The proposed committee is expected to handle household verification, streamline disbursement, and close technical gaps that have long marred the scheme.
It will likely work alongside the Ministry for Teso Affairs and may draw lessons from similar compensation initiatives in Northern Uganda.
Leaders also pressed government to revive the Serere Livestock Breeding Center, describing it as critical for restocking not only in Teso but also across Uganda.
“The breeding center must be revived quickly because the movement of quality breeds is extremely important for recovery,” Ecweru said.
Other concerns raised included land fragmentation, with leaders warning that poorly coordinated compensation could fuel social conflict.
They urged government to consider households collectively when processing claims, to avoid inequality and disputes within families.
Once established, the committee will be mandated to report back within a set timeframe, with clear deliverables on implementation.
Leaders expressed cautious optimism, noting that the President had shown willingness to listen and adjust strategies in response to community voices.
“We are all victims of the wars and cattle raids that impoverished our people. What we ask for is fairness, transparency, and a system that truly restores livelihoods,” one elder remarked.
The cattle compensation program has remained a politically sensitive issue in Teso for decades, with promises and partial disbursements leaving many residents disillusioned.
The formation of the proposed committee is now being seen as a potential turning point in restoring trust and delivering justice to long-suffering families in the region.