Apac farmers in fear of hunger after Balaalo cattle destroy several gardens
Residents of Apac District point to gardens ravaged by Balaalo cattle. Farmers are calling for urgent government intervention. PHOTO/FILE
What you need to know:
- “These cows came at night while I was sleeping. In the morning, I found the entire garden destroyed,” Mr Tema said.
- Crops destroyed by the cattle include sunflower, maize, soya beans, cassava, beans, and tree plantations.
Residents of villages surrounding Maruzi Ranch in Ibuje Subcounty, Apac District, are gripped with fear over looming hunger after stray cattle belonging to Balaalo herdsmen destroyed acres of crops.
The worst incident occurred on Monday, June 16 when more than 120 heads of cattle strayed from Maruzi Ranch and grazed in over 30 acres of gardens. The affected villages include Abongokere, Teboke, Rwakisaza, and Onekgwok.
Crops destroyed by the cattle include sunflower, maize, soya beans, cassava, beans, and tree plantations.
Mr Kosantino Okao, the LC2 chairperson of Tarogali Parish and one of the affected residents, said farmers have endured losses for over a year as cattle routinely stray into their gardens.
“These herdsmen are very crafty. If you arrest their cattle, you have to stay outside and guard it. If you don’t, they sneak in at night and steal it back,” Mr Okao said.
He added: “The Balaalo don’t compensate those whose crops have been destroyed. We impound their cattle, but the real owners never show up. Instead, they send representatives who negotiate compensation but disappear once the cattle are back in the ranch. We’re not even allowed to enter the ranch.”
Mr James Ogwang, a farmer in Abongokere Village, urged government to fast-track the eviction of the herdsmen.
“The government should speed up the process of chasing them away. Their cattle are too many, and the ranch can no longer contain them. They have no respect for our gardens,” he said.
In Teboke Village, 70-year-old Alfred Tema is counting losses after cattle destroyed three acres of maize and cassava.
“These cows came at night while I was sleeping. In the morning, I found the entire garden destroyed,” Mr Tema said.
Mr Alex Ogota, the LC3 chairperson of Ibuje Subcounty, described the herdsmen’s continued presence as a growing security threat.
“There are thieves working with the herdsmen to steal our cattle. The stolen cattle are hidden deep in Maruzi Ranch, where our people are not allowed to access, yet the herdsmen move freely in the community,” he said.
Apac Deputy RDC, Ms Joan Apio, said the district security team is only awaiting final orders and logistics to begin the eviction process.
According to residents, more than 100,000 cattle owned by Balaalo herdsmen are currently grazing in Maruzi Ranch. A section of the ranch, measuring 54 square miles, was leased to Hillside Agricultural Investment Limited, the very land now occupied by the herdsmen.
