UPC’s Jimmy Akena: “Cattle Are More Than Wealth, They Are Our Social Security”

Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) Party President, Jimmy Michael Akena Obote, has reaffirmed the significance of livestock as a vital economic and social asset during his visit to Lira Palwo Town Council in Agago West, Agago District.

Akena emphasized the need to restore cattle to affected communities, underscoring their role not only as a source of wealth but also as a form of social security for many families in Northern and Eastern Uganda.

“I have been on a campaign for the restoration of cattle in the north and eastern Uganda. While on this mission, I have also been inspecting cattle dips that once protected animals from diseases. Many young people today do not even know what a cattle dip is, and that is a challenge we must address,” Akena said.

Expressing concern over the loss of livestock management knowledge among the younger generation, Akena called for immediate action to educate and equip them with skills necessary for proper cattle rearing and disease prevention.

“It is not enough to demand the return of our cattle; we must also ensure that once we have them back, they are well-maintained, treated, and multiplied,” he added.

Akena criticized the government for its failure to implement effective livestock restoration strategies. He asserted that true leadership must prioritize the protection of livestock as a crucial economic and social pillar for rural communities. “If you are a serious leader, the first thing you do is to ensure that the animals are protected,” he stated.

Highlighting the disappearance of functional cattle dips, Akena lamented that these once widespread facilities are now nearly nonexistent. “Dipping is the most cost-effective method for controlling livestock diseases, yet I am struggling to find a single working dip tank,” he noted.

In a bid to take matters into his own hands, Akena pledged to begin rehabilitating some of the abandoned cattle dips. He urged government authorities to take his commitment seriously, reiterating that livestock serves as the backbone of rural communities, often functioning as a financial security system to cover essential needs such as education.

“My animals were also taken, and my grandfather was killed in the process. I want my animals back,” Akena declared passionately, reinforcing his unwavering commitment to fighting for restorative justice.

ENDS