Police in Soroti City have arrested Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party president Patrick Amuriat Oboi and two Members of Parliament for leading a protest against the delayed compensation of Teso War Debt Claimants.
The demonstration, dubbed **”No Cow, No Vote,”** also led to the arrest of MPs Joan Alobo Acom (Soroti City) and Johnathan Ebwalu (Soroti City West Division), along with Soroti City West FDC Chairperson Isaac Asaku, Kumi Woman MP aspirant Mary Goretti Atemo, and Sam Acaitum, personal assistant to MP Alobo. The group is currently detained at the East Kyoga Regional Police Headquarters, which has been sealed off to prevent access.
The protesters had notified police about their planned demonstration last week, aiming to pressure the government to speed up compensation for war debt claimants. Before his arrest, Amuriat accused the government of neglecting the victims, despite significant losses of life and property.
“We are here to highlight the grievances of the people of Teso. If the police choose to fight us, we have no choice but to defend ourselves,” Amuriat said.
He also criticized security forces for blocking their planned prayer gathering at Soroti City’s Public Gardens, which was meant to seek justice for the victims.
“We have seen heavy police deployment at the venue, but we are not leaving until they open the Public Gardens for us. We are here to demand justice—**no cow, no vote!**”
Gweri County MP Tom Julius Ekudo condemned the arrests, accusing the government of failing to fulfill its compensation promises.
“Our people have died waiting for compensation, yet there is still no sign of justice. As leaders of Teso, we now say, **‘No cow, no vote!’”**
The compensation dispute intensified following the recent arrest of 40 elders from the Teso sub-region after they reportedly met with National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine) to discuss compensation and poverty concerns. Security forces intercepted the elders, confiscated their phones, and detained them at Wandegeya Police Station before releasing them.
In March 2022, President Yoweri Museveni launched a compensation process for war debt claimants in the Acholi, Lango, and Teso sub-regions. However, delays have persisted, prompting lawyer Richard Omongole, representing the claimants, to return to court.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Robbinah Nabbanja directed Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka to provide a detailed report on payments made to claimants in the three regions. Her directive followed concerns raised in Parliament by Soroti County MP Patrick Aeku, who also referenced the pending protests by Teso leaders.
Police in East Kyoga have yet to comment on the arrests.
