By Nathan Eyagu
Soroti City – In a fiery press conference at Soroti Public Gardens, Soroti City West MP Jonathan Ebwalu and Soroti Woman MP Joan Alobo unveiled the "No Cow, No Vote" campaign, urging the people of Teso to demand long-overdue war compensation before casting their ballots.
The leaders vowed work closely with other leaders around the affected communities in Teso, Lango, Acholi, and other regions to rally people until the government fulfills its obligation to compensate war claimants for livestock lost during past insurgencies.
Addressing the media, MP Ebwalu condemned the ruling NRM government, accusing it of neglecting it's citizens and disregarding court rulings mandating compensation.
“Teso was once among the wealthiest regions before the NRM took over in 1986. We had quality education, jobs, and healthcare. But today, we have been reduced to beggars,” he lamented.
Ebwalu referenced three separate court rulings that ordered the government to compensate war claimants for loss of life and property, yet no action had been taken.
“The court ruled that every adult killed must be compensated with UGX 20 million, children with UGX 10 million, and UGX 3 million for damages. But to this day, nothing has been done,” he emphasized.
He further criticized the Attorney General for appealing against these rulings, calling it a deliberate effort to deny justice to the people of Teso.
Echoing his sentiments, MP Joan Alobo dismissed claims that some war claimants had already been compensated.
“Who are these people? We know families that lost 50, even 100 cows. If anyone claims to have received compensation, it’s barely worth half a cow. What a joke!” she fumed.
She lamented Teso’s economic decline, stating that a once-thriving region now ranks among the poorest in Uganda.
“Even those allegedly compensated remain in poverty. Our elders have died waiting for justice.”
Alobo also criticized the deteriorating healthcare system, recalling how the government failed to improve Soroti Regional Referral Hospital even after Dr. Epodoi’s historic surgery to separate conjoined twins.
The MPs vowed to mobilize communities to withhold their votes unless the government honors its commitment.
“This is beyond party lines. Whether you are NRM, FDC, or any party, we must stand together. If the government refuses to pay for our cows, we will refuse to vote,” Ebwalu declared.
The official launch of the No Cow, No Vote campaign is scheduled for Friday, March 7, 2025, at Soroti Public Gardens, with FDC President Patrick Amuriat Oboi expected to preside over the event.
As of March 2025, Teso continues to grapple with unresolved war compensation claims, fueling frustration among affected communities. Despite court rulings mandating government compensation for losses incurred during insurgencies between 1986 and 2003, many claimants report receiving little to no restitution.
In October 2023, Justice Henry Adonyo ordered the government to compensate over 3,000 Teso war claimants, specifying that UGX 20 million per adult killed,UGX 10 million per child killed,UGX 3 million for property damages.
Frustrated with the NRM government's broken promises, the Teso war claimants have sought alternative political alliances. In a notable development, a delegation led by Julius Ochen met with National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi, a.k.a. Bobi Wine, to discuss possible collaboration in demanding compensation.
In a high-profile visit to the NUP headquarters in Kampala, 40 elders from Teso engaged with the NUP leadership, however, shortly after their meeting, security forces arrested the elders as they prepared to return home.
Despite assurances from the government, many claimants remain skeptical, citing a lack of transparency and tangible progress. The ongoing delays have sparked a new wave of political mobilization, with Teso leaders threatening to withhold electoral support from NRM unless the compensation issue is promptly addressed.
