Agago Parish Chiefs Accused of Extorting Shs2.3 Million from Restocking Beneficiaries

At least 15 parish chiefs in Agago District are under investigation for allegedly extorting Shs2.3 million from beneficiaries of the government’s cattle restocking programme.
The allegation prompted the district authorities to suspend the registration exercise and order fresh beneficiary selection across the district.
The money was reportedly collected from farmers seeking inclusion on beneficiary lists under the livestock restocking programme, a government initiative aimed at rebuilding household incomes and livestock herds in northern Uganda.
James Nabinson Kidega Agago Resident District Commissioner,  said the extortion scheme was uncovered following complaints from community members and a subsequent security-led verification exercise.
“We have discovered that up to Shs2.3 million had been collected from beneficiaries. Action will be taken against those responsible,” Kidega said.
The investigation found that some parish chiefs demanded money from residents in exchange for registering them as beneficiaries, contrary to government guidelines that require the selection process to be conducted transparently and free of charge.
Kidega said the implicated officials would face prosecution and be compelled to refund the money collected from the victims, with eight of them so far arrested.
“Those parish chiefs who engaged in corruption and extorted money from the community will go to court. Their files are ready, and we are taking them to court. The money they collected must be returned to the community. They know the people they took money from, and we want all the affected residents identified so they can be refunded. After that, they will face the law, Kdega said.
Agago District Chairperson, Wilson Otto, said some officials allegedly registered relatives as beneficiaries and demanded bribes ranging from Shs30,000 to Shs200,000 from applicants seeking to be included in the programme.
Otto said the alleged extortion undermined the objectives of the restocking programme, which is intended to support vulnerable households and promote economic recovery in the Acholi sub-region.
George Okello, a farmer from Omot Sub-county, welcomed the decision to conduct fresh registration, saying many genuine beneficiaries had feared being excluded from the programme.
“We are happy that the district listened to our complaints. The fresh registration gives everyone a fair chance,” Okello said.
Cony Adong, another beneficiary from Lapono Sub-county said reports of corruption had discouraged many vulnerable households from participating in the exercise.
“We were worried that only those who could pay money would benefit. Now we believe the animals will reach the right people,” she said.
District leaders found that 23 parishes from 13 sub counties were found to have conducted the registration irregularly. The leaders warned that public servants found exploiting government programmes for personal gain would face disciplinary and legal action.
Investigations into the scandal are ongoing, with district authorities indicating that more officials could be implicated as inquiries continue.
The livestock restocking initiative, approved by the government for the Acholi, Lango and Teso sub-regions, provides Shs5 million worth of livestock to selected households. Each parish is expected to nominate six beneficiaries through Parish Development Committees.