UPC’s Akena Labels Museveni Cattle Compensation Promise as Campaign Lies

Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) president Jimmy James Michael Akena has dismissed President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s pledge to compensate each household in Acholi, Lango, and Teso sub-regions with five heads of cattle, describing it as a “political lie.” 

While campaigning in Lango, President Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential flag bearer, said the new approach — already discussed with regional leaders — was designed to be fair and sustainable.

However, Akena says the pledge is an empty political gimmick intended to avoid genuine compensation for livestock lost during past conflicts. “I’ve had experience with this government. There are many statements or policies that are made, but there’s never any intention to follow through or to make it come into reality,” Akena said. He noted that the president has repeatedly promised to compensate affected communities over the years, yet little action has been taken.

Citing the 2024 Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) census, Akena said Lango, Acholi, and Teso sub-regions have over 1.63 million households, translating to more than eight million animals — a figure he described as unrealistic given Uganda’s total cattle population of 14.5 million.

Akena further argued that without proper veterinary services and the rehabilitation of ranches, the restocking program would fail, adding that it could take up to 15 years to achieve meaningful results.

“We must restore the veterinary system. The veterinary system has collapsed. Is there any effort from government? No. Lip service. Actual facts, is it being done? No,” Akena emphasized. Dr. Cyprian Ebong, a retired livestock scientist, supported Akena’s view, saying the program would only succeed if veterinary systems were strengthened.

Dr. Ebong also suggested that the program be implemented in a climate-smart manner to help mitigate global warming.

“That manure can be used for producing biogas. The biogas could either be packed in cylinders or turned into electricity and supplied to village homes,” he explained. “Over the years, people have been relying on charcoal, but if they have this, the tendency to cut trees will reduce. Allowing trees to grow will help combat climate change.” 

He added, “They’ll be producing a lot of manure, which can be taken to gardens to boost crop production. If electricity is available in these villages, setting up small-scale industries like hammer mills or milk processing plants becomes easy — turning misfortune into fortune.” Last month, while campaigning in Lira City, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, the National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate, also accused President Museveni of “deceiving” the people of Lango about the cattle compensation plan.

“Let him give the cows now before the election. If he does not give the cows before the election, tell him,” Kyagulanyi urged. Reflecting on his own family’s suffering during the 1987 conflict, Akena recalled the killing of his grandfather, the father of former President Milton Obote, and the atrocities endured by many northern families. 

He said UPC’s mission is rooted in justice and restoration, not revenge. “We are not coming in bitterness. We are coming for justice, for correction, for reset,” Akena said. “This is our country, and our people must not be treated as second-class citizens.”

In March 2022, President Museveni launched the compensation program for victims who lost livestock during past conflicts. While over 500 billion shillings has been disbursed, outstanding claims remain a major challenge.