Gov’t can’t compensate for war losses, Museveni tells Teso

President Yoweri Museveni has ruled out direct war compensation for the losses they suffered during past insurgencies, insisting that such restitution is neither feasible nor internationally recognized.

Speaking during a meeting with leaders in Soroti city, Museveni likened war to a natural disaster, saying, “We cannot compensate for war; it’s a natural occurrence, like an earthquake.”

He explained that while wars are a result of poor politics, governments cannot pay reparations for their destruction. Instead, his administration will prioritize restocking and rehabilitation programs for affected families.

Museveni suggested a flat-rate model, where the Shs 169 billion earmarked for Teso could be divided equally, giving each household approximately Shs 7 million. To guide the process, he directed Vice President Jessica Alupo and the ministry of Teso Affairs to consult widely with community leaders, including elders, youth, and women, and report back within a month.

Museveni suggested rehabilitating families and helping them restock such that everyone benefits.

OPPOSITION INTENSIFY PRESSURE

The question of cattle compensation has resurfaced as a major political issue in Teso. Opposition parties, including the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the National Unity Platform (NUP), have rallied supporters under the slogan “No cow, no vote,” intensifying pressure on the ruling NRM to address grievances.

Bosco Okiror, MP for Usuk County and chair of the Teso Parliamentary Group, criticized the lack of transparency in the compensation process. He noted that while government efforts have focused on cattle, many victims of torture, displacement, and other war-related losses remain sidelined.

There are cases in court dating back to 1962. Yet only the Teso Animals and Property Compensation Organization (TAPCO) has received attention, Okiror said, urging Museveni to intervene and explore out-of-court settlements.

Katakwi RDC Stephen Ilemukorit added that opposition politicians exploit delays in compensation during campaigns, fueling public frustration.

“Every election season, the opposition uses cattle compensation to attack NRM, and the people become more disillusioned,” he said.

Allegations of corruption and delays

Concerns of corruption and mismanagement have further complicated the program. Teddy Acam, an NRM mobilizer in Teso, revealed that some beneficiaries receive less than their rightful allocation due to kickbacks.

“If you are entitled to Shs 10 million, you might only receive Shs 9 million because someone else takes a cut,” she said.

Acam also lamented that many claimants have died before receiving payments, while their families face bureaucratic obstacles when trying to access compensation. Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi confirmed that while Shs 200 billion has been disbursed since the program began in 2021, benefiting about 28,000 claimants, funding gaps halted payments in 2022 and 2023.

The scheme resumed in 2024, but complications remain, including bounced payments due to deceased account holders and minors mistakenly listed as beneficiaries. Alupo acknowledged the political weight of the matter, stressing that the people of Teso are determined to resolve the issue once and for all.

She underlined the region’s dual identity as both cattle keepers and cultivators, noting that fair compensation remains critical for livelihoods and political stability. As Museveni pushes for rehabilitation over direct compensation, the government faces mounting pressure to ensure transparency, restore trust, and deliver a resolution that avoids fueling further political unrest in the region.