President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has vowed to bring an end to cattle rustling in the Acholi and Karamoja sub-regions, assuring residents that government has both the technical capability and military strength to decisively deal with the remaining armed groups terrorizing communities.
Addressing a large rally in Agago District on Wednesday as he wrapped up his campaign tour of the Acholi sub-region, President Museveni described the current cattle raids as “a very small problem” compared to the insurgencies Uganda has previously overcome.
“We have the capacity to finish this once and for all,” Museveni said. “The army has stopped war in Uganda before — and there will be no more war again.”
The President revealed that his recent discussions with military commanders highlighted gaps in how the army was responding to cattle rustling. He said that while troops were capable, they were not fully deploying the available tools.
“They were walking on foot, tiring themselves following raiders instead of using the full capacity of the army,” he said. “Now we have the technology — UAVs — that can see them from the air, day or night.”
Museveni announced that the government would deploy more Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to enhance surveillance, track stolen cattle, and support rapid response units in hotspot districts.
He also warned groups contemplating armed rebellion that Uganda will not tolerate a return to war.
“If you start war, you will go to Gehenna, not to heaven. Uganda now has cooch — peace,” he declared.
‘No Protected Camps for Cows’
Turning to the issue of protected grazing zones, the President criticized the idea of “cattle camps,” saying it was impractical and counterproductive.
“People can live in protected camps because they are intelligent — they can find food. But cows are not intelligent; they chew too much grass. The solution is not to confine cows but to eliminate the troublemakers so that animals can graze freely,” he said.
Museveni dismissed claims that rustlers had become more sophisticated, saying modern technology and the army’s control of key transport routes make it easier to track and intercept stolen cattle.
“When they steal cows, they load them on vehicles — but vehicles don’t fly. We can track them on the roads. This is a very small problem,” he said, adding that some of the stolen cattle were being taken to Kalerwe Market in Kampala, a route the government is now monitoring closely.
Peace, Development and Infrastructure
The President reiterated that peace and unity remain the cornerstone achievements of the NRM government over the last four decades, crediting the party’s policy of non-sectarianism for building strong national institutions such as the army, police, and civil service.
“We don’t care about your tribe or religion or whether you are a man or woman — what matters are your actions. That’s what Jesus taught us: we shall know them by their fruits,” he said.
Museveni also pointed to continued investment in roads, electricity, water, and telecommunications, describing them as essential pillars of economic transformation. He recalled how the government extended electricity to West Nile, Kitgum, Adilang, and Kotido even after international donors withdrew funding.
“When the Swedes stopped helping, we said we would do it ourselves. A cow that is not your bride price — if they give you a hoof, you say thank you,” he joked, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Encouraging citizens to be patient with government priorities, Museveni likened national development to walking — one step at a time.
“You cannot move both legs at once. You move one leg up, one down — that’s how progress works,” he said.
He urged teachers and public servants to understand budget realities, saying government must prioritize infrastructure and energy first to create long-term economic opportunities.
“In the bush, the one who ate was the one on duty. Not because he was the most important, but because we needed him most at that time,” Museveni said.
Road Projects and Regional Development
The President concluded by assuring residents that key road projects in Acholi would be completed as part of ongoing government infrastructure plans.
“We have peace, we have electricity, we have telephones — now we must build more roads. It’s already in the programme,” Museveni affirmed.
His remarks were met with loud applause, with residents expressing renewed hope that the government’s commitment to peace and development would finally bring an end to decades of insecurity and underdevelopment in northern Uganda.
