By John Ogulei
SOROTI
Government has agreed to deposit Shs 10bn for immediate disbursement to the Teso beneficiaries in the first phase.
This is in response to the Cattle Compensation question that continues disturbing many Teso voters.
This was revealed by the Internal Affairs Minister, General Jeje Odongo, who said the question of Cattle Compensation, is moving on very well and people of Teso shouldn’t be worried.
“The question of compensation for Teso cows is moving very well. This morning I had discussions with the Attorney General. Today the Government will deposit 10bn shillings on the account for immediate disbursement to the beneficiaries,” said Minister Odongo yesterday.
The Money is part of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s pronouncement early this week that government has secured UGX. 30 billion for cattle compensation in Acholi, Lango and Teso sub regions.
The cattle compensation for Teso Sub Region had been a song for several years and most Iteso have viewed it as a campaign strategy being used by the ruling National Resistance Movement party to get support from unsuspecting voters.
The trend has however changed with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni committing himself to pay Iteso 50 billion as part of the compensation for the property lost during insurgencies.
Whereas the President during his campaign trail in Teso had conditioned that the money would come after his re-election, government through the Attorney General yesterday 06th January 2021 agreed to deposit 10 billion to the account.
Museveni, who is also the NRM Presidential candidate, said that each of the three sub regions will receive Shs10 billion to kick start the compensation out of the UGX. 50 billion promised to each region in November last year.
While canvassing for votes in the region ahead of the presidential elections slated for January 14th, 2021, Museveni pledged compensation of Shs50 billion for the people who lost cattle to the rebels and Karimojong cattle rustlers revealing that more money will be availed to the affected communities in phases.
The President’s comments were informed by concerns from listeners in the region who indicated that cattle compensation pledge was only meant for vote hunting.
Museveni in his 2005 presidential campaign pledged to compensate Iteso who lost cattle and their property during the 1986- 1995 insurgency. But the pledge which was not fulfilled was again highlighted in the last two presidential bids.
