Lango’s Stolen Cows: Inside the Billion-Shilling Compensation Scandal

Lira – What was meant to be a programme of justice for war victims in northern Uganda has degenerated into one of the country’s biggest corruption scandals.

Billions of shillings allocated to compensate families in Lango for cattle looted during decades of conflict have been siphoned off by lawyers, middlemen and government insiders leaving the genuine victims still waiting.

At a stormy meeting at Lango College grounds on August 17, 2025, President Yoweri Museveni faced residents who accused his government of presiding over a compensation scheme riddled with fraud.

The livestock compensation initiative, launched in 2022 with a budget of UGX 200 billion, was hailed as a landmark reconciliation effort for Acholi, Lango and Teso. But the President himself admitted the programme was compromised from day one.

Lawyers inflated claims, filed ghost applications, and struck backdoor deals with officials in Kampala. Ordinary families many of whom lost every animal they owned during insurgencies — were pushed to the bottom of the list.

“So far, UGX 169 billion has been paid out, but much of it ended in wrong hands,” Museveni admitted. “Lawyers and middlemen captured the process. That is why we are shifting to direct payments.”

Behind the figures is a shocking reality, close to UGX 800 billion is still required to clear both verified and unverified claims a mountain of money many fear will also vanish.

Community leaders say the rot began when victims were lured into lawsuits by powerful Kampala-based law firms who promised quick compensation but instead pocketed billions through inflated legal fees and fictitious claimants.

Mzee Angello Okello, one of the original petitioners, expressed deep regret,
“We were told going to court was the fastest route. Instead, the lawyers took advantage. They stole from the very victims they claimed to represent.”

District officials allege that one consortium of lawyers charged over UGX 10 billion in ‘processing fees’ yet delivered almost nothing to actual families.

Middlemen and Ghost Beneficiaries

In Otuke District, whistleblowers revealed that UGX 15 billion was diverted through middlemen who inserted ghost names on compensation lists. Payments were then routed to private accounts while genuine victims were sidelined.

“We have lists of people who never owned cattle, yet they were cleared for payment,” said Dennis Okwi, a community leader. “The victims are still crying while ghosts are eating.”

In Dokolo, Resident District Commissioner Barbara Akech confirmed that at least 53 transactions bounced because accounts were either invalid or duplicated  classic signs of ghost claimants.

Government Insiders Fingered

Several leaders openly accused the Attorney General’s chambers of complicity. According to George Kamara of Otuke, the office “frustrated victims with endless red tape while clearing questionable claims pushed by connected elites.”

An internal status report presented by Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi revealed only UGX 2.5 billion has reached Lango since 2014 — and even that was riddled with irregularities. Many families discovered that their names had been replaced or payments diverted.

“The Attorney General’s office has become a bottleneck,” Kamara charged. “It protects thieves instead of victims.”

Losing Generations

Paramount Chief of Lango, Eng. Dr. Moses Odongo Okune (Won Nyaci) praised the original idea of the programme but warned that corruption has buried its purpose.

“Many heads of families who lost cattle have died. Their children and grandchildren are still waiting,” he said. “Without decisive action, this issue will rot into another betrayal of our people.”

Lango MPs, led by Dr. Samuel Opio Acuti (Kole North), submitted a memorandum demanding full and transparent payment in no more than three installments, re-registration of excluded victims and clear timelines.

“This matter touches the bone marrow of Lango,” Acuti said. “We cannot continue watching billions vanish while victims inherit only pain and empty promises.”

Museveni’s Countermove

In a bid to salvage credibility, Museveni proposed that Lango select a trusted committee to negotiate directly with government. Yet critics fear this will only create another elite club ripe for capture.

The President tried to placate the region with new pledges: a bus for Lango footballers, UGX 50 million for the Agong Foundation of Lango Queen Margaret Odwar and UGX 550 million for a SACCO of clan heads.

But those present said these were “crumbs” compared to the billions already lost.

The scandal in Lango mirrors similar allegations in Acholi and Teso, where ghost claimants, inflated lists, and diverted payments have plagued the process. Across northern Uganda, communities say the programme meant to rebuild trust has instead deepened resentment.

Museveni acknowledged the anger but insisted the NRM’s correct politics had brought peace to the region. “This was an exceptional initiative, not a standard government duty. But corruption has compromised it,” he said.

For many in Lango, the cattle compensation programme is now remembered not for justice, but for betrayal. Billions meant to restore livelihoods were swallowed by a network of lawyers, middlemen, and government insiders.

Until the thieves are named, prosecuted, and forced to return the money, residents warn, reconciliation will remain a slogan and the cattle of Lango will remain stolen twice first by war and later by corruption.