Museveni pledges free education for children from families affected by cattle raids in Lango sub-region

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has said the government will assist victims of cattle raids in Lango and Acholi sub-regions.

He has directed the State Minister In-Charge of Northern Uganda, Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny to coordinate with all the relevant authorities as well as the Office of the Prime Minister to document all the affected persons for them to receive relief aid.

The President further announced that all school going children from families affected by cattle rustling will be allowed to study for free in government schools until the situation normalizes.

President Museveni was Tuesday responding to calls by Political and Cultural leaders from Lango sub-region whom he met at Baralegi State Lodge in Okwang sub-county Otuke district, to the government to assist the displaced persons in their areas.

The districts of Lango sub-region comprise Alebtong, Amolatar, Apac, Dokolo, Lira, Kole, Oyam, Otuke, Lira City and Kwania.

“I totally agree with you. We shall bring to the cabinet the issue that students of the displaced study for free until the situation stabilizes so that they don’t lose out from where they are now. We shall also compensate those who died during the raids and assist the injured.

The Prime Minister should send relief to the displaced persons and the Minister for Northern Uganda should coordinate. I will definitely assist each family,” the President pledged.

On the proliferation of guns in the sub-regions of Lango and Acholi that are brought in from neighboring countries, President Museveni pointed out that the main issue is to change the mindset of those who seek for arms and make them lose appetite for guns.

He cited volatile situations in some of the neighboring countries but people living near those countries don’t bring in guns to Uganda.

“How can you control the whole region Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia and the DRC there is war going on and it ends there but the people of Kasese or West Nile don’t bring guns.

The problem here is raiders look for guns, they must lose appetite for the gun. They will look at a gun on the ground and will not touch it. You touch the gun, and you are dead. You wait they will lose appetite,” the President vowed.

President Museveni however reiterated his firm stand to end cattle rustling in Acholi and Lango sub-regions following the identification of the gaps that the rustlers use for continuing with their raids.