Life-Long Cattle Rustling in Sebei with No Compensation
For decades in Sebei, covering Kapchorwa, Kween, and Bukwo, the same story has repeated itself. Cattle have been stolen, livelihoods destroyed, and generations left without a safety net. Farmers and youth have watched animals taken from their fields and pens, and they have seen no meaningful government compensation or restocking. The theft of our cattle is not just a financial loss; it strikes at the heart of our future.
It has been like this since time immemorial. From the 1970s and 1990s through to today, cattle rustling by the Karamojong and others has preyed on communities in the Sebei highlands and plains. Our ancestors lost herds, our elders watched helplessly, and our youth inherited the ruins of what was meant to sustain us. The land may change and the seasons may turn, but the loss remains constant.
In contrast, other regions have seen government support, compensation, and restocking. In the sub-regions of Lango, Iteso, and Acholi, efforts have been made to compensate victims of cattle raids and war-related livestock losses. The government has earmarked billions of shillings for compensation and restocking in those areas. A formula of five cows per household has even been proposed as part of restocking efforts. Sebei is still remind not thought of in compensation.
While other areas have seen tangible commitments, including budgets, payments, and restocking plans, Sebei remains largely left out. Our youth are graduating into unemployment. Families are rebuilding from scratch with no support. Farmers cannot replace their stolen herds. Promises of compensation for rustled cattle are almost always silent here.
The difference is stark. When cattle were stolen in Lango or Teso, government statements, budgets, and plans followed. When cattle were stolen in Sebei, the question often begins and ends with: Will anything happen for us? The answer so far has been largely no.
We demand a full, transparent investigation into cattle theft in Sebei, with verified claimants and timelines. We demand immediate restocking or fair compensation for stolen livestock on at least the same terms given to other sub-regions. Youth-led documentation and monitoring of the process must ensure that the families of Sebei receive what they deserve. There must be a permanent commitment from government, not just one-off announcements, but regular payments, livestock programs, and sustainable livelihood support for our people.
Cattle stolen, futures stolen. This phrase should haunt us, but instead it motivates us. It reminds us of the long line of losses our people have borne, of the silence that greeted our pleas, and of the responsibility we now carry. If the government can act to compensate other tribes, it can act for Sebei. If other regions can see restocking and livelihood support, so can we. We will no longer wait in the shadows of forgotten promises. We will organize. We will speak. We will demand what is rightfully ours.
