Hundreds of widows in Agago District are struggling to educate their children and rebuild their lives years after losing their husbands in attacks by suspected Karamojong cattle raiders, as local leaders demand the implementation of a presidential compensation pledge made three years ago. During a security and peace meeting with leaders from Acholi, Teso and Lango at Baralegi State Lodge in Otuke District in 2023, President Yoweri Museveni directed that families of people killed by suspected cattle raiders be compensated with Shs5 million, while those injured would receive Shs1 million each.
However, residents and local leaders say many affected families have not received any compensation despite submitting lists of victims through district authorities. Hellen Ayugi, a widow from Katiri Village in Amyel Parish, Lapono Sub-county, said life has become increasingly difficult since her husband was killed by suspected raiders in June 2016.
According to Ayugi, the attackers found seven people working in a garden but only shot her husband, leaving the women and children unharmed. She said her husband was the family’s sole breadwinner and the only son in his family, leaving no close relatives to support her after his death. “You can see the situation for yourself. The home has become bushy because I cannot manage it alone. I have three children still in school, and I have struggled to raise them without any support since my husband was killed,” Ayugi said.
Peter Oryem, a resident of Kije Village, said he has assumed responsibility for his late brother’s family after he was killed during a cattle raid. Oryem recalled escaping the attack before returning with relatives to recover his brother’s body from the bush. He said his brother left behind five children whose education is now uncertain.
“I reported the matter to the district hoping for support, but nothing has happened. One of the children should already be joining secondary school, but there is no money,” Oryem said. Leaders along Agago’s border with Karamoja say residents continue to question why the promised compensation has not been paid. Quinto Okot Obita, the LCIII chairperson of Omiya Pachwa Sub-county, said many bereaved families have repeatedly asked whether the presidential pledge still exists.
“It would be important for the government to compensate these families because it would comfort them even if it cannot bring back their loved ones. When a husband or wife is killed, the children become orphans and many families lose their source of livelihood,” Obita said. He added that insecurity remains a concern, claiming suspected raiders continue to attack villages almost every week.
Kite Okidi, the LCIII chairperson of Lira Kato Sub-county and representative of LC III of the sub-counties at the borderline, questioned why compensation has delayed despite the presidential directive. He welcomed the ongoing livestock restocking programme but said residents want clarity on whether victims who lost relatives and livestock will also benefit from the earlier compensation package.
“The lists of victims were compiled and forwarded through the district. We are now asking our leaders, including the Resident District Commissioner, security officials, Members of Parliament and district leaders, to follow up and tell us whether the compensation was cancelled or when it will come,” Okidi said. Agago District Chairperson Wilson Otto said the district is preparing to formally pursue justice for victims and their families.
Otto said district records indicate that between 2018 and 2023, at least 207 people were killed during cattle raids, while in 2024 another 62 people were killed and several others seriously injured. Otto added that 1,861 head of cattle and about 3,650 goats were stolen, while more than 100 households were displaced in Lapono Sub-county alone. District-wide, over 700 people were displaced by the raids.
He announced that the district plans to establish a committee to document all victims and prepare evidence to support calls for compensation and legal redress. “We shall constitute a district committee on justice for Karamojong victims so that when our Members of Parliament speak, they have evidence. We also intend to work with lawyers, local leaders, security agencies and neighbouring districts to seek justice for our people,” Otto said.
He said the district intends to coordinate with neighbouring districts, including Kitgum, Pader, Otuke and Abim, to build a united regional petition seeking accountability and compensation. “This is not about revenge. It is about accountability, healing and lasting peace because security is a right, not a privilege,” Otto said-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
