Gov't Issues Two weeks Ultimatum To Balalo Cattle Keepers to Evacuate Northern Uganda

By Jecob Olwoch 

Gulu, Uganda : The State Minister for Northern Uganda Hon. Kenneth Omona has given the Balalo Cattle keepers two weeks to Leave Northern Uganda or face forceful eviction 

Omona said this is Presidential Executive Order number three issued in May 2023 by President Museveni

Speaking to the Media on Friday addressing the media on 23 May 2025 Gulu city, Omona stressed that when they had a meeting with the president on 19th May 2025, the president ordered that these indisciplined herdsmen should leave northern Uganda with immediate effect.

The two-week ultimatum starts immediately after the minister's communication on 23 May 2025.

According to Omona, this operation will be conducted under the leadership of the 4th Division Army Commander, Major General Felix Busizoori, and his counterpart leadership of the 5th Division infantry, who were both present during the press briefing.

Major General Felix Busizoori the 4th division Commander said the move aims at guarding against environmental insecurity being caused by the balalo and also to protect the community against these indisciplined herdsmen. 

 Busizoori called on the community to cooperate with the security for a successful operation,adding however that those wrong elements who will want to use the time to jeopardize this operation by soliciting for bribes or those trying to bribe their way that they will waste their time and money because it will not work easily for them this time around.

He also cautioned the thieves who will think they can use this time to steal other people's animals under the pretext that they are evicted, stating that the security network is going to be so strong on that as well.

Gen. Busizoori made it clear that both the herdsmen with their animals exiting the region will be protected because that's the key role of the UPDF,to protect people and their property.

Col. David Opeero, the deputy commander 5th Division Infantry, said they are mapping all the areas where the animals are and who their owners are, and also establishing the holding areas. 

He called on all the stakeholders in this move, including the local leaders, the community, to work closely with security during this operation.

It is estimated that there are over 700 Balalo Herdmens in Acholi, Lango, Westnile with over 90,000 herd of Cattle

Minister Omona (Center) flanked by the 4th and 5th division Commanders speaking to Journalists on Friday from Gulu City.