The High Court in Lira has ordered the government through the Attorney General (AG)’s office led by , Kiryowa Kiwanuka, to pay UGX 236 million in compensation for livestock stolen by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) during the insurgency in 2011.
The decision follows a successful lawsuit filed by aggrieved residents who sued the army for unlawfully taking their cattle and other livestock during operations in northern Uganda.
Justice Duncan Gaswaga, who presided over the case, ruled that the government was liable for the losses caused by its agents.
The court determined that the UPDF’s actions not only deprived residents of their livelihood but also constituted a violation of their constitutional rights to property.
“The government, through the Attorney General, is responsible for compensating the affected individuals for their losses. This is a step toward justice for the victims of the insurgency,” Justice Gaswaga stated in his ruling.
The claimants, primarily farmers, testified that the loss of their livestock had a devastating impact on their economic and social well-being. Many were left unable to support their families, pay school fees, or sustain agricultural activities.
The Attorney General’s office has yet to comment on whether it will appeal the decision. However, legal experts suggest the ruling could set a precedent for similar cases, potentially opening the government to further claims from victims of past military actions.
