By Caroline Nakire
KAMPALA – The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has warned that individuals implicated in the misuse of funds under the ongoing cattle restocking programme will be arrested and prosecuted.
The warning was issued by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr Alex Kakooza, who said his office had received a report containing the names of several people who allegedly received money meant for genuine beneficiaries.
Kakooza said preliminary findings indicate that some individuals who were not eligible for the programme accessed the funds, potentially depriving deserving households in the targeted sub-regions.
“Action will be taken. We have received reports of people who received this money when they were not supposed to do so. They will be arrested and prosecuted,” Kakooza warned.
The cattle restocking programme was launched by Government to restore livelihoods in areas that lost large numbers of livestock during years of insurgency and cattle rustling. It targets vulnerable households in the Teso, Lango and Acholi sub-regions.
In the current Financial Year 2025/2026, Government allocated Shs80 billion for the programme. A total of 16,000 households are expected to benefit, with each household receiving Shs5 million to procure cattle.
According to official figures from OPM, more than Shs75 billion has already been disbursed to beneficiaries across the three sub-regions, representing more than 93 per cent of the total allocation.
However, the programme has attracted complaints of irregularities, including the alleged inclusion of ineligible persons, inflated beneficiary lists and possible collusion between some local leaders and technocrats.
Kakooza said the exact number of people implicated and the districts where the alleged irregularities occurred could not yet be disclosed, as investigations are ongoing.
He added that a comprehensive audit is being undertaken to establish the full extent of the alleged irregularities and ensure that public funds reach the intended beneficiaries.
Kakooza emphasised that Government would not tolerate the misuse of public funds intended to support war-affected communities, saying those found culpable would face the law regardless of their position.
“The purpose of this programme is to support our people in Teso, Lango and Acholi to rebuild their lives. Anyone who diverts or fraudulently takes this money is sabotaging Government efforts and will be held accountable,” he said.
Kakooza called upon members of the public and local leaders in the affected sub-regions to cooperate with investigators and report suspected cases of irregularities to help ensure that the programme achieves its intended objectives.
