Museveni Issues New Order for Balaalo to Leave Northern Uganda

By Faith Barbara N Ruhinda Updated at 1539 EAT on Friday 20 June 2025

President Yoweri Museveni has issued a renewed eviction directive targeting migrant cattle keepers, commonly known as the balaalo, from northern Uganda.

This marks the second eviction order issued in 2025 and is set to take effect on June 25, as the government moves to enforce stricter regulations on free-ranging livestock in the region.

The latest directive follows Museveni’s meeting with security officials in northern Uganda on May 19, during which he announced the year’s first eviction order. That decision reinstated Executive Order No. 3 of 2023, which had been suspended in December last year following a widespread outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in over 30 districts.

Following the resumption of the eviction exercise on May 23, 2025, herders were expected to vacate the region with their livestock by June 4. However, no animals were removed, leading to growing frustration among Acholi leaders and residents. Many accused the government of disregarding their concerns by issuing directives that were not enforced.

Speaking to journalists at the 4th Infantry Division Barracks on Wednesday, Division Commander Maj. Felix Busizoori confirmed that President Museveni had issued a second directive.

This latest order bans the movement of free-ranging cattle into northern Uganda from other regions and formally criminalizes the practice.

Maj. Busizoori explained that the second directive provides for a thorough audit of herders who claim to have lawfully acquired land, established fenced grazing areas with permanent water sources, and ensured continued access to public water points.

He noted that phase one of the exercise is already underway, focusing on sensitizing local leaders, landowners, and the cattle keepers themselves.

Authorities are encouraging voluntary departure ahead of a forced eviction phase, which is scheduled to begin on June 25 and continue for 65 days.

Only designated officials will participate in the eviction exercise. These include representatives from security agencies, district veterinary offices, the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the National Forestry Authority, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Additional participants include officials from the Acholi Cultural Institution as well as local council leaders at the parish and sub-county levels.

Maj. Busizoori clarified that while the cattle will be removed, their owners will initially remain in place as a verification process is conducted to assess claims of lawful land ownership.

The audit team, working in coordination with landowners, will determine which individuals are permitted to stay and who must be evicted.

To ensure logistical efficiency and prevent disorder in destination districts, the eviction will be carried out parish by parish. Speaking on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police Philip Acaye urged community members and local leaders to remain calm and cooperative throughout the process.

“Let everyone stay in their lane. If we do that, we shall all come out without bruises. If we try crossing lanes, that’s when we can get bruised,” Acaye cautioned.

He also appealed to the public to support the operation by providing credible information and reminded security personnel to strictly follow established standard operating procedures.

Amuru Resident District Commissioner Geoffrey Osborn Oceng echoed earlier warnings, calling on political leaders to refrain from inciting the public. “This is a matter of governance. The president has issued a directive, and we are going to implement it fully as explained by the commander,” Oceng stated.

The balaalo, primarily pastoralists from western Uganda, began settling in northern Uganda over the past decade in search of grazing land.

While some reportedly acquired land through formal leases or purchases, others occupied communal land through informal or fraudulent means—often without the consent of local clans.

In the Acholi sub-region, traditional leaders have raised alarm over what they describe as the dangerous commodification of land.

Their concerns include environmental degradation, rising land disputes, and the potential displacement of indigenous communities. Many leaders have called for urgent reforms to safeguard communal land rights and protect future generations from what they perceive as encroachment disguised as private ownership.

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