OPM warns against ‘pre-signing’ in sh80b cattle restocking scheme
In a directive issued on April 8, 2026, the OPM said officials in some areas, particularly Gulu city, have allegedly been coercing beneficiaries into signing declaration forms confirming receipt of funds before the money is actually disbursed to their accounts.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja. (File photo)
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The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has issued a stern warning to local government officials over alleged irregular practices that threaten the integrity of the sh80 billion Cattle Restocking Programme in the Acholi, Lango and Teso sub-regions.
In a directive issued on April 8, 2026, the OPM said officials in some areas, particularly Gulu city, have allegedly been coercing beneficiaries into signing declaration forms confirming receipt of funds before the money is actually disbursed to their accounts.
The OPM described the practice, known as “pre-signing,” as a violation of implementation guidelines, warning that it creates false accountability records and opens the door to fraud.
“The declaration on the Beneficiary Form constitutes an acknowledgement of receipt,” the OPM said in a statement. “It must only be signed after the full amount of sh5 million has been received by the beneficiary.”
The Cattle Restocking Programme is a presidential initiative aimed at restoring livestock wealth in Northern and Eastern Uganda, regions that were heavily affected by conflict and cattle rustling.
The government says the programme is designed to rebuild household assets and support a shift from subsistence to commercial agriculture.
For the 2025/26 financial year, the programme has a budget of sh80 billion and is being implemented across 33 local governments in the Acholi, Lango and Teso sub-regions.
Each eligible household is entitled to a sh5 million grant intended to purchase five animals, including three heifers and two bulls.
Unlike previous phases, this rollout uses direct cash transfers to verified bank accounts or mobile money wallets, a move intended to reduce corruption associated with physical livestock distribution and give farmers more flexibility in choosing livestock.
To strengthen transparency, the OPM outlined a multi-step verification process.
Parish Development Committees compile beneficiary lists based on parish allocations, which are then vetted by district technical teams and chief administrative officers before submission to the OPM through the Ministry of Local Government.
Once approved, funds are disbursed directly to beneficiaries, who are expected to acknowledge receipt only after the money has been received.
The OPM has urged the public to remain vigilant and reject any pressure to sign documents before payment is confirmed.
Beneficiaries have been encouraged to report such practices to district authorities or directly to the OPM, which reaffirmed a zero-tolerance stance on actions that undermine the programme’s integrity.