By Uganda’s Second Deputy Prime Minister and long-serving Adjumani West legislator, Gen Moses Ali, has called on President Yoweri Museveni to create a dedicated Ministry for the West Nile sub-region and fast-track compensation for war victims and veterans who suffered during past insurgencies.
Addressing journalists at his home in Abrichaku Village, Adjumani Town Council, the 86-year-old retired general said the region continues to be marginalized under the Ministry for Northern Uganda, which he argued is too broad to effectively address West Nile’s unique challenges.
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“The current arrangement is too large for West Nile to feel the impact,” Gen Ali said. “We humbly request Your Excellency to appoint a Minister for West Nile to bring services nearer to the people.”
He further appealed for compensation of veterans and families of former Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF) fighters, lamenting that while government has paid war claimants in Acholi, Lango, and Teso, West Nile is still waiting.
“Government has compensated other regions. Why is West Nile still waiting?” he asked. “We lost both lives and property. Over 513 confirmed fighters died, and more than 60 percent of the surviving veterans have also passed away. Their families need justice.”
Although President Museveni pledged phased compensation totaling Shs26 billion for West Nile ex-combatants, delays persist. The package, according to government statements, includes Shs1 billion released earlier this year, Shs13 billion in the 2025/26 financial year, and a final Shs12 billion after the 2026 general elections.
Nationwide, the war debt compensation program has disbursed Shs136 billion of an allocated Shs139.5 billion, but much of this went to Acholi, Lango, and Teso. Parliament estimates the country requires Shs2 trillion to settle all claims, with West Nile still lagging behind.
Gen Ali noted that despite these gaps, the NRM government has delivered major achievements such as GDP growth from USD3.9 billion in 1986 to USD49.4 billion in 2023, electricity generation rising from 150MW to 2,000MW, and tarmacked roads expanding from 1,000km to 7,000km. In West Nile, he cited infrastructure milestones like the Kole–Gulu–Nebbi–Arua power line and Atiak–Laropi road but said more tailored attention is needed.
“These are commendable achievements, but West Nile still requires special focus to fully thrive,” he said.
His remarks come as Uganda heads toward the 2026 general elections amid growing calls from historically underserved regions for equity and regional development strategies that reflect their sacrifices and contributions.
