Opposition leaders and Members of Parliament from the Teso sub-region have pledged full support for President Yoweri Museveni’s cattle restocking and rehabilitation programme, saying it has potential to transform livelihoods if implemented transparently.
The commitment was made on Friday, September 12, 2025, during a consultative meeting in Soroti chaired by Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo and the cattle rehabilitation committee.
Opposition leaders proposed that the programme be anchored on existing community structures such as clan leaders, LCIs, parish chiefs, and sub-county chiefs to ensure accountability and that only genuine beneficiaries are reached.
They also demanded active involvement in monitoring and evaluation.
Carlos Peter Ebiau of the Democratic Fort Party said the opposition should be allowed to track implementation to guard against bias.
“We are requesting the government to kick off the process of cattle restocking and rehabilitation before January 12, 2026. If not, the ‘No Cow, No Vote’ campaign will continue,” Ebiau warned.
George Okoit, NUP leader for Teso, urged government to allow the opposition to form a parallel committee to work alongside the official one for transparency.
MPs, led by Hon. Alfred Edakasi, also endorsed the programme and urged their colleagues to embark on sensitization drives in their constituencies.
However, they cautioned against politicizing the initiative, noting that its focus should be poverty eradication.
“We have received complaints that some individuals are charging between Shs2,000 and Shs15,000 to register people as beneficiaries. This is illegal,” the MPs noted.
Ngora Woman MP Stella Isodo (FDC) expressed readiness to support the initiative, while Kumi Woman MP Christine Apolot called on government to develop clear and fair beneficiary selection criteria.
In response, Vice President Alupo commended both MPs and the opposition for embracing the presidential programme.
She clarified that no official registration has yet begun, dismissing reports of money being collected.
“We are still consulting stakeholders on the best approaches. Communities should avoid falling prey to fraudsters. This initiative is about unity and development in Teso,” Alupo said.
She also highlighted government’s broader priorities in infrastructure development, including roads, railways, airports, and water systems, to complement agricultural recovery and boost exports.
