19 Years On, Ugandan Pastoralists Still Struggle for Compensation for Livestock Lost in DRC
By Leonard Kamugisha Akida
KAMPALA – Nearly 19 years after the Congolese army raided cattle farms owned by Ugandan pastoralists and seized their livestock in 2006, affected families are still struggling to receive compensation. Despite repeated appeals and promises of redress, justice remains elusive, leaving many herders in despair.
The raid led to widespread cattle theft and displacement of hundreds of pastoral families, many of whom relied entirely on livestock for survival. While both the Ugandan and Congolese governments acknowledged the losses, compensation efforts have been slow, hampered by bureaucratic delays and legal hurdles.
“We lost everything, our cattle, our source of income, and even some of our elders who died of heartbreak,” said Ivan Mugabo, chairman of the affected families. “For 19 years, we have waited for justice, but all we get are empty promises.”
Speaking to journalists in Kampala on Monday, Emmanuel Tumusiime, a member of one of the affected families, revealed that each time they seek answers from the Ugandan embassy in the DRC, they are told the compensation funds were paid through the Ugandan government. However, he lamented that the government has failed to compensate them.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. The government must recognize our plight. We continue to engage authorities to ensure we receive the justice we deserve,” Tumusiime said.
In 2003, Ugandan pastoralists, primarily from Kyankwanzi, Masindi, Nakasongola, Kiruhura, and other regions, moved into Eastern DRC through Ntoroko District in search of greener pastures for their livestock. However, in 2006, the Congolese army raided their camps, seizing 1,200 heads of cattle.
Mugabo explained that both governments conducted an audit to assess the losses, and a compensation process was initiated in 2006. Yet, nearly two decades later, many victims fear their suffering is being forgotten.
Their hopes now rest on renewed advocacy and political intervention to finally secure long-overdue compensation.
“There is a gap between the president and the common person,” Mugabo noted, urging President Yoweri Museveni to personally intervene.
Despite persistent appeals to government officials, the affected pastoralists allege they have received no assistance. They are now demanding a direct meeting with President Museveni to address their grievances.
“Whenever we visit government ministries, they acknowledge knowing us, but that does not help us. We need our cattle,” said John Byamukama, another affected pastoralist.
Tumusiime echoed this frustration: “When we go to the embassy, they tell us the money was paid to the Ugandan government, yet the government has not compensated us,” “We appeal to the government to take full responsibility and compensate families that lost their animals in the DRC.”
The affected pastoralists argue that, factoring in natural herd growth, the lost livestock would have increased to over 5,000 heads of cattle – now valued at approximately 170 billion Ugandan shillings ($45 million) over the past two decades.
As their calls for justice continue to go unanswered, these Ugandan herders remain trapped in uncertainty, longing for the day their voices will be heard and their losses finally addressed.
