The government's cattle restocking programme in Acholi, Lango and Teso regions is facing scrutiny after Parliament uncovered alleged favouritism, bribery and manipulation of beneficiary lists in Gulu.
The Parliamentary Committee on Presidential Affairs, led by Bardege-Layibi Division MP Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, raised the concerns while meeting political and technical leaders from Acholi at the Gulu City Council Chambers.
The committee was assessing the implementation of the first phase of the programme when officials were questioned about how beneficiaries were selected.
The committee heard allegations that some local leaders inserted themselves, relatives and spouses on beneficiary lists, sidelining vulnerable people who were supposed to benefit from the programme.
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Those allegedly excluded included elderly people, widows, single mothers, former Lord's Resistance Army abductees and returnees, and persons with disabilities.
Gulu City was allocated Shs3.332 billion to support 667 households. However, officials told the committee that only 640 beneficiaries had received the money by the time of the meeting.
The committee also heard allegations that some officials demanded money from people seeking to be included on the beneficiary lists.
Dodoth East MP Peter Pex Paak criticised the alleged conduct, warning that leaders who prioritise themselves and their relatives could undermine public confidence in government programmes.
Gulu City Mayor Julius Acire Labeja acknowledged shortcomings in the implementation of the programme and promised action against officials who fail to perform their duties.
In Gulu District, restocking focal person Alfred Opio told the committee that 320 of the 329 approved beneficiaries had been paid.
He attributed the outstanding payments mainly to mismatched telephone details.
The cattle restocking programme was introduced to rebuild livestock wealth lost during years of insurgency, displacement and cattle rustling in northern and eastern Uganda.
Government allocated Shs80 billion for the first phase in the 2025/26 financial year, targeting 16,000 households across 33 local governments in Acholi, Lango and Teso.
By late June, government reported that 2,001 households had received about Shs10.05 billion.
A further Shs100 billion has been allocated for the 2026/27 financial year.
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Under the programme, each selected household receives Shs5 million to purchase three heifers and two bulls.
The parliamentary committee said stronger community participation, proper verification of beneficiaries and tighter accountability mechanisms will be necessary if the next phase is to avoid the challenges reported during the initial rollout.
