Government to Disburse USh 5 million via Mobile Money to Cattle‑Restocking Beneficiaries in Teso, Acholi And Lango Sub-regions
Government to Disburse USh 5 million via Mobile Money to Cattle‑Restocking Beneficiaries in Teso, Lango and Acholi Sub regions.
By Okidi Patrick
Lira, Uganda – 5th, January ,2025 – The Ugandan Cabinet approved a cash‑based cattle‑restocking scheme that will see eligible households in the conflict‑affected sub‑regions of Teso, Lango and Acholi receive USh 5 million each through mobile‑money platforms. The move, announced by State Minister for Northern Uganda Rehabilitation Dr Kenneth Olusegun Omona, is part of a broader USh 80 billion five‑year programme aimed at revitalising livestock holdings after years of displacement and insecurity.
During a Cabinet meeting on 5 December 2025, ministers voted to replace the earlier plan of physically distributing live cattle with a direct cash transfer. “Mobile‑money disbursement eliminates costly bank fees and speeds up delivery to the people who need it most,” he told reporters at a briefing in Gulu on 31 December 2025. “It also gives families the flexibility to purchase the livestock or other assets that best suit their circumstances.”
Who Will Benefit?
The programme targets widows, youth, formerly abducted persons and other vulnerable families who lost livestock during the insurgency that has plagued Northern Uganda and Teso sub-region for decades.
“The Ugx 5 million grant is a substantial amount for most households, especially those unaccustomed to handling large sums of cash,” warned Dr .Omona. “We are calling on political, cultural and religious leaders to sensitize communities on prudent use of the funds, ensuring the money translates into sustainable livestock assets.”
Implementation Timeline:
USh 80 billion earmarked for the programme is now available, according to the minister.
Mobile‑money transfers will commence once the implementation guidelines are finalised by the Ministry of Finance and MAAIF, a process expected to conclude within the next two months.
The initiative is slated to run for five consecutive years, with annual disbursements to new beneficiaries as they are identified.
Reactions from Stakeholders
The announcement was attended by senior officials, including Hon Sam Engola, Presidential Advisor for the Lango zone, and Mr Aturu Abraham, Deputy RDC of Kwania. Engola praised the “innovative approach” and urged local leaders to ensure the cash reaches the intended recipients without diversion.
“We have witnessed the challenges of moving live cattle across rugged terrain and insecure areas,” Engola said. “Mobile money leverages Uganda’s robust telecom network, bringing the benefits of the restocking programme directly into the hands of our people.”
Northern Uganda including Tesi sub region, has long relied on cattle as a cornerstone of livelihoods, cultural identity and social security. The prolonged conflict with the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and subsequent displacement have devastated herd sizes, leaving many families without a primary source of income and food security.By shifting to cash transfers, the government hopes to accelerate economic recovery, empower households to purchase healthy, disease‑free livestock, and stimulate ancillary markets such as feed, veterinary services and transport.
Looking Ahead:If successfully rolled out, the cash‑based restocking scheme could serve as a model for other post‑conflict regions in Uganda and the wider East African community. Analysts note that the USh 5 million per household roughly equates to US 1,300, a sum that can finance the purchase of a modest herd of calves or be invested in complementary income‑generating activities.
The Ministry has pledged to monitor the program closely, with quarterly reports to Parliament on disbursement rates, beneficiary uptake and impact on livestock production. Community leaders have been urged to play a proactive role in financial literacy and accountability to ensure the funds translate into long‑term resilience for the most vulnerable households.
