Acholi Leaders Demand Action On Compensation, Healthcare, Infrastructure Ahead of National Budget

As Uganda prepares its 2026/27 National Budget, leaders and residents in the Acholi sub-region are pressing the government to prioritize long-standing commitments, including cattle compensation, healthcare, education, and infrastructure development. There is growing concern that many projects highlighted in past budgets have yet to be fully realized.

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I am disappointed. The money allocated for cattle compensation is not what we expected. Government must fulfill what it has promised in the past. Year after year, we continue to see the same commitments reflected in the budget without adequate implementation.

Progress on key initiatives, such as cattle compensation and the Rwenkunye-Acholi Bur road project, has been notably slow, according to local leaders. Kilak North MP Anthony Akol expressed disappointment, stating, "I am disappointed. The money allocated for cattle compensation is not what we expected. Government must fulfill what it has promised in the past. Year after year, we continue to see the same commitments reflected in the budget without adequate implementation." Residents are increasingly frustrated by the gap between promises and tangible improvements in their livelihoods and public services.

Gulu City Woman MP Betty Aol Ocan called for increased funding for critical sectors, particularly healthcare, and a comprehensive resolution of compensation for war-related cattle losses. "We cannot keep our people in anticipation. The health sector budget needs a significant boost, and cattle compensation should be handled comprehensively rather than in phases. The ordinary person in Acholi is tired of waiting for long-overdue promises," she said.

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We cannot keep our people in anticipation. The health sector budget needs a significant boost, and cattle compensation should be handled comprehensively rather than in phases. The ordinary person in Acholi is tired of waiting for long-overdue promises.

Civil society actors have also voiced concerns about proposed regulations tightening external funding for non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The Acholi sub-region heavily relies on NGO-supported programs in health, education, and community development. Ojok Okot, Team Lead at Hashtag Gulu, warned that restrictions on NGOs could create service delivery gaps that the government must be prepared to fill. "The government must understand the impact of restrictions placed on NGOs and civil society organizations. If these organizations are unable to operate at their current scale, government will need to step in and provide services in areas where NGOs have traditionally been active," Okot stated, also advocating for financial support to sustain these organizations.

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The government must understand the impact of restrictions placed on NGOs and civil society organizations. If these organizations are unable to operate at their current scale, government will need to step in and provide services in areas where NGOs have traditionally been active.