A cross section of cultural leaders in a recent meeting with the President
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I A consultation report on cattle compensation in the Teso sub-region, termed as realistic, inclusive, and transformative, provide a chance for Government to resolve the Teso cattle compensation impasse.
Addressing a delegation from Teso, President Yoweri Museveni described the previous format as 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,” he said in a meeting held at State House Entebbe on September 17, 2025.
The delegation to the State House included His Highness Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot, the cultural leader of Iteso, and the Kumam cultural leader, Won Ateker Papa Kumam Raphael Otaya. Usuk County MP Bosco Okiror, who presented the report on behalf of the consultation team.
The consultations affirmed President Museveni’s proposal for a uniform restocking plan of five cows per household in Teso. The sub-region comprises 12 districts with an estimated 489,000 households, according to the 2024 National population and housing census.
“Across the region, they have looked at five cows per household. Another proposal was to consider compensation in the cash equivalent of the five cows to be managed at the sub-county level, so households can purchase for themselves,” Okiror explained. He noted that the price of a good female cow ranges between Shs 1.5 million and Shs 2 million.
President Museveni backed the plan and also acknowledged the potential challenges with 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. The question is affordability—five cows per family in instalments, and then we can look at the extended families,” the President said.
He also clarified that the districts of Butebo and Pallisa, which had petitioned to be included in the scheme, would be considered separately.
During the meeting, Museveni also addressed grievances from Teso residents regarding the presence of Balaalo herders in their area.
“They should go. I solved this problem long ago. They have no good reason to stay in those areas illegally. If they were to move legally, it would be easy after acquiring the necessary procedures and ensuring the safety of their animals and the community to live in harmony,” he said.
Jesica Alupo, the Vice President said the consultations were conducted comprehensively and without incident. She commended the contribution of cultural leaders, whom she described as resourceful in shaping the final report.
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