Balaalo invade Amuru with over 420,000 livestock, set up 237 kraals
One of the Balalo herdsmen inspects the animals at Katakwi District headquarters on January 11, 2023. PHOTO/SIMON Peter EMWAMU
What you need to know:
- Leaders in Acholi Sub-region estimate that more than 100,000 cattle have been brought into the region by migrant pastoralists, mainly settling in Gulu, Amuru, Nwoya, and Pader Districts.
At least 131 migrant cattle keepers have returned to villages in Amuru District with more than 427,000 livestock, nearly three years after they were evicted for violating Executive Order No. 3. The latest statistics are from a May report by the Amuru District Security Committee.
The pastoralists have settled in the sub-counties of Opara, Pogo, Atiak, Lakang, and Layima, setting up 237 kraals. “Atiak has the highest number of kraals at 106,” said Mr Geoffrey Osborn Oceng, the Amuru Resident District Commissioner (RDC), who also chairs the District Security Committee.
“In Lakang, they have set up 40 kraals, 36 in Opara, 33 in Pogo, and 22 in Layima,” he added. The livestock includes 102,700 cattle, 208,000 goats, 34,000 sheep, and 83,000 pigs. Mr Oceng said some of the cattle keepers have occupied government land, including the 10,000 hectares acquired for the Amuru Sugar Project. “Some pastoralists are on land meant for the Amuru Sugar Works. Others are in Atiak, Opara, and Layima,” he said.
According to Oceng, most of the pastoralists have not complied with presidential directives to fence their grazing land and provide water for their animals. “We found that the majority have not fenced their land or ensured access to water,” he said.
The RDC made the remarks during a meeting convened by State Minister for Northern Uganda Rehabilitation, Dr Kenneth Omona, in Kitgum Municipality at the weekend. Mr Michael Lakony, the Amuru District chairperson, said nearly 98 percent of the cattle keepers have ignored the president’s directives. “Only two out of every 100 pastoralists have fenced off their land and provided water for their livestock,” he said. “Some have up to 10,000 cattle and are grazing on government land,” he added.
Mr Lakony accused some local politicians of frustrating government efforts to evict the cattle keepers, alleging that they are using the situation to garner votes ahead of the forthcoming elections.
“Some politicians go on local radio stations and lie about the government's intentions. I suspect some of them are being funded by the cattle keepers,” he said.
In neighbouring Nwoya District, the situation is similarly tense. Mr Emmanuel Orac, the Nwoya District chairperson, said between 350 and 400 migrant cattle keepers have brought more than 35,000 cattle to the area. Nwoya, which borders Murchison Falls National Park, was already grappling with human-wildlife conflict before the influx of livestock. Mr James Nabinson Kidega, the Agago RDC, warned that the government's failure to resolve the issue could cost the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party votes in the 2026 elections.
“If the Executive Order No. 3 is not enforced, the NRM will lose support in Acholi,” he said. “The cattle keepers must be evicted and commercial charcoal production must also end,” he added. Mr Omona said evictions will resume soon, but did not specify a timeline.
“The quarantine (Foot and Mouth Disease) has been lifted, and the government is sorting out logistical issues. The army and police will ensure that non-compliant cattle keepers leave northern Uganda,” he said.
