Teso wants compensation for the loss of their property.

By; Francis Lubega

17^th Nov. 2020

Voters in the Teso region want candidates contesting for various elective positions to prioritize compensation for war victims.

Teso sub-region has suffered violence from rebel activities and the Karimojong warriors where several people lost lives and property. Several people especially from Amuria, Katakwi and Kaberamaido were forced into Internally Displaced Camps during the insurgencies that lasted more than a decade.

In 2018, the High Court in Soroti awarded each war victim five million shillings as compensation in addition to the property lost. Each lost cow was valued at 900,000 Shillings, goat and sheep at 150,000 Shillings each and pig at 250,000 Shillings each for compensation.

This is after the Kasilo County MP, Elijah Okupa and a team of 2,020 survivors who suffered violence in the hands of Karimojong cattle rustlers between 1994 and 2001 sued the government. In a landmark ruling delivered by Justice David Batema, the government was ordered to compensate the affected families for the lives and property lost as a result of cattle rustling and insurgency.

According to Benson Ekuwe, the Executive Director of Public Affairs Center- PAC Uganda and human rights defender, compensation of the Teso war victims is very critical in this election.

So far, Patrick Oboi Amuriat, the FDC Presidential candidate and Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine of National Unity Platform have all pledged to compensate the region if given mandate to lead the country.