Government Grants Over 80 Billion for Cattle Compensation in Northern Uganda.
By Our Reporter
Lira, Uganda | There is good news for the people of northern Uganda as the Office of the Prime Minister is set to kick-start the first payments for cattle compensation in early January 2026. The restocking program covers the regions of Lango, Acholi, and Teso, which lost animals during the insurgency in the north.
Addressing journalists on December 31, 2025, at St. Lira Hotel in Lira City, the State Minister for Northern Uganda, Dr. Kenneth Omona, confirmed that the government has allocated over 80 billion Uganda shillings for this exercise, following cabinet approval of the restocking program.
The minister added that the process will commence in the first week of January 2026, before the general elections begin. He stated that all payments will be made via mobile money accounts, not bank accounts, as it has come to their notice that bank charges for withdrawals are very expensive.
Dr. Omona noted that the exercise will run for a period of five years, with the first payment phase to be completed before the end of January 2026. He clarified that not every household in Lango, Teso, and Acholi will receive money at once in this initial phase, and subsequent payments will be a continuous process.
He explained that a cabinet meeting held on December 15, 2025, approved that each affected household in northern Uganda, particularly in Lango, Acholi, and Teso, receive five cows. The government has accepted this directive and tasked the Office of the Prime Minister with handling the payment process.
Additionally, Dr. Omona assured journalists that the cabinet agreed each household would be given the equivalent of five cows, valued at one million shillings each, meaning a total of five million shillings per household.
Lastly, he encouraged all beneficiaries to use the funds wisely to help lift themselves out of poverty. “Let us not misuse the money,” he said, urging the people of northern Uganda to support the NRM government under President Yoweri Museveni Kaguta for its developmental work. “Let us voice for the NRM government and all NRM flag bearers across the country.”
Meanwhile, former State Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Sam Engola, who is also the NRM flag bearer for Erute South in the upcoming general election, requested the government to expedite the payment process, stating that five years is too long as some beneficiaries may die in the interim. He appealed to beneficiaries to put the money to good use.
Tonny Eron, the NRM flag bearer for Kwania County, speaking to the media, urged all beneficiaries in the first lot to embrace the opportunity and avoid misusing the funds.
Patrick Ogwang Obura, NRM flag bearer for Oyam South, promised to follow up on the matter with Aber District. He noted that Aber was already granted compensation by President Yoweri Museveni Kaguta during a campaign in Oyam District in October. He urged those not in the first payment lot to be patient, as every household in Oyam will eventually receive their money. He added that, countrywide, Oyam is the second largest district after Wakiso, so payments may be staggered and not everyone will receive money at once.
