Balaalo vow to resist forceful eviction in northern uganda

Balaalo cattle keepers in Northern Uganda have rejected and vowed to resist  the fortnight deadline to get off the grazing land in Northern Uganda as per the presidential directive.

Government has initiated a major operation to remove Balaalo cattle keepers from northern and eastern regions following a presidential directive targeting illegal land occupation and rising conflicts with local communities.

 

On Friday Northern region affairs minister Kenneth Omona together with the 4th and 5th division commander directed that all Balaalo get off the land within the stipulated time or be forcibly evicted after the 14 days deadline.

 

The move has sparked heated debates about land rights and ethnic tensions in the affected areas.  

 

These are no calling on the president to intervene in their affairs to avoid ethinic clashes or be compensated as they claim to have legally acquire the land in dispute with all the necessary backing documents for ownership and are not willing to just surrender their land and cattle within the shortest period of the deadline . 

 

President Yoweri Museveni's administration has ordered the immediate expulsion of Balaalo pastoralists from contested regions including Acholi, Lango and Teso sub-regions. Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba announced the directive, stating that all cattle keepers occupying land without proper authorization must vacate immediately, with security forces deployed to enforce compliance.  

 

The crackdown comes after years of complaints from local farmers who accuse the predominantly migrant Balaalo communities of land grabbing, crop destruction and armed intimidation. Many herders maintain they acquired land through legitimate purchases and blame the crisis on poor land governance systems.  

 

Local leaders have largely welcomed the government's intervention describing  the pastoralists as invaders who have terrorized communities for years.

 

While the government maintains the operation will restore order, critics argue it fails to address root causes of the conflicts. 

 

The situation remains fluid, with security operations ongoing and affected communities awaiting clarity on potential compensation or resettlement arrangements.