Residents of the Teso sub-region have vowed not to vote for the ruling NRM government if it fails to deliver on the long-promised compensation for cows lost during past conflicts, an issue that has remained unresolved for nearly 49 years.
Speaking to Nexus Media on December 17, 2025, at Kumi Hotel, Elupe Mesh, the National Unity Platform (NUP) chairperson for Soroti District, said the cow compensation issue remains a major political concern that could influence the outcome of the next general election.
Elupe was speaking while accompanying NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu during his tour of the Teso sub-region. He said the failure by the government to honor its promises has pushed many residents to consider supporting the opposition.
According to Elupe, discussions among community members have led to a common agreement that since the government has not compensated families for cows lost during the insurgency, they will instead support Kyagulanyi as the opposition presidential candidate.
He recalled that after the NUP Teso chapter, together with Teso war claimants, launched the “No cow, no vote” campaign, President Museveni visited the region and met elected leaders. During that visit, the president promised a restocking program under which every Itesot aged 18 years and above would receive two cows before the 2026 general elections.
However, Elupe said that during subsequent campaign visits, President Museveni told voters that there was currently no money for restocking, but promised to do so in the next term if re-elected.
Elupe accused the president of misleading the people of Teso for more than two decades. He claimed that although some funds were released for compensation in the past, the money was allegedly mismanaged by prominent local leaders, leaving most victims uncompensated.
Elupe, who is also the NUP flag bearer for Soroti County, said the Teso community has increasingly embraced change, especially after NUP signed a memorandum of understanding with Teso war claimants. Under the agreement, NUP pledged to begin compensation within the second week after assuming office.
While addressing a rally in Kumi Town on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, Kyagulanyi promised that an NUP-led government would compensate all affected families.
He also said that his government would revive the Soroti Meat Packers, which would create a market for livestock and provide employment opportunities for young people.
Meanwhile, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Woman Member of Parliament for Soroti District, Adeke Ebaju, is also campaigning under the “No cows, no votes” message in solidarity with other opposition leaders. She said cow compensation should have been a top priority for the government.
Residents say the cow compensation issue resurfaces during every election period and has repeatedly been used to win political support without real action.
In the 1970s and 1980s, the Teso region was one of Uganda’s leading food baskets, second only to Buganda, with abundant crops and livestock.
It is alleged that during the 1980–1986 bush war, NRA rebels raided thousands of cattle from Teso to support the war effort. Years later, Teso war claimants took the matter to court, which ruled that the government should compensate affected families for livestock losses and lives lost during the conflict.
