Otto issues ultimatum to Museveni over cattle compensation

9 September 2025, 8:29 pm

By Eman Yonah Oruk

The long-standing demand for cattle compensation in the Lango sub-region has reached a breaking point. Hon. Ishaa Otto Amiza has issued a powerful ultimatum to President Yoweri Museveni, warning against further delay and deception. With a 14-day deadline now in place, Otto insists that justice must be served, and that the people of Lango will no longer remain silent.

“Lango should not be deceived again over cattle compensation,” Otto declared, criticising the government’s repeated failure to honour court rulings and budget commitments.

This renewed push comes as President Museveni and his associates prepare yet another meeting at State House to discuss cattle compensation. Otto warns that this is a familiar tactic—one that has consistently resulted in broken promises and political manipulation.

He cited the Karimojong cattle raids in Apac and other districts, noting that the government failed to prevent the rustling or protect the affected communities.

Otto demands accountability from:

• Lawyers who represented the cattle compensation case
• Members of the Lango Parliamentary Group (LPG)
• The Attorney General, responsible for implementing the court ruling
• Coordinators, including ECIP, Auma, Ogwang, Obua, and Akello Betty

Otto urges the Lango community to reject:

• Any proposed State House meeting led by Museveni and his usual collaborators
• Any attempt to replace legal compensation with vague promises of livestock distribution

He specifically condemned Museveni’s proposal to give five cows per household in Lango, Acholi, and Teso, calling it “a blatant lie.” Otto argued that if the government cannot honour court-awarded compensation, it certainly cannot afford mass cow distribution.

Otto’s five non-negotiable demands:

1. Pay the court-awarded compensation to Lango war claimants before the 2026 elections
2. Provide the promised five-cow compensation to Lango, Acholi, and Teso before the elections
3. Allow an independent committee to oversee the compensation process
4. Disclose the names and amounts paid to individuals involved in the compensation process
5. Present a supplementary budget for cattle compensation in 2025

Otto has given the government 14 days to respond. If no action is taken, he warns of intensified political mobilisation and public exposure of those obstructing justice.

“Lango must not fall for political tricks. The community should stand firm and demand justice,” Otto emphasised.

The statement reflects widespread anger among Lango residents, many of whom feel betrayed by years of delay. Thousands of verified claimants remain unpaid, despite legal victories and budget allocations.