By The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party president, Patrick Amuriat, along with Members of Parliament Joan Alobo (Soroti City Woman), Jonathan Ebwalu (Soroti City West), and Julius Ekudo (Akobo County), have been arrested in Soroti following a protest demanding government compensation for cattle lost during past insurgencies.
The demonstration, held under the slogan “No Cow, No Vote,” was aimed at pressuring the government to honor its long-standing promise to compensate livestock owners in Eastern and Northern Uganda. The protest was scheduled to include prayers at the Public Gardens in Soroti City, but heavy police deployment blocked access to the venue. Security forces swiftly moved in to intercept and arrest the leaders before they could address the gathered crowd. Several supporters who attempted to join the demonstration were met with police resistance and were forcibly dispersed using tear gas.
Leaders Condemn Government Negligence
Before his arrest, Amuriat accused the government of neglecting cattle keepers in the region, despite previous commitments to compensate them for their losses.
“People lost their livelihoods, and to date, the government has turned a deaf ear. If they do not compensate our people, they should not expect our votes,” he declared.
Soroti City West MP Jonathan Ebwalu and Soroti City Woman MP Joan Alobo echoed similar concerns, criticizing what they termed the “selective compensation policy.” They argued that while certain regions had received government compensation, the Teso sub-region remained ignored and neglected.
“Other regions have received compensation, yet our people, who also suffered devastating losses, have been left out. This is not only unjust but also an insult to the communities affected,” said MP Alobo.
Escalating Tensions Amid Unclear Government Response
Efforts to reach regional police commander Damalie Nachuha for comment were unsuccessful. However, local supporters of the protest remain undeterred, vowing to continue their campaign until their demands are met.
As tensions escalate, the government’s stance on the matter remains unclear. The failure to address the issue could further inflame political discontent in the affected regions, potentially influencing voter sentiment ahead of future elections.
With the “No Cow, No Vote” movement gaining traction, the pressure is mounting on authorities to respond to the grievances of cattle keepers in Eastern and Northern Uganda.
