Museveni insists: Lawless Balaalo face eviction despite UPDF influence
President Museveni. PHOTO/COURTESY
What you need to know:
- Museveni also addressed allegations that some Balaalo herders resist local justice by using their connections to the military.
President Museveni has defended his directive to evict Balaalo pastoralists from parts of northern, north-western, and eastern Uganda, saying the move is aimed at restoring order and protecting local communities from illegal land use, not targeting any ethnic group.
In a statement released Sunday, Museveni responded to growing public debate and accusations of tribal bias by insisting that the issue revolves around lawlessness, not identity.
“My social media team drew my attention to the lies and distortions about the Balaalo issue,” the president said.
He added: “This is not about tribe. It is about bad practices that violate people’s rights and undermine unity.”
The Balaalo, a group of largely cattle-keeping Ugandans from the west, have in recent years settled in northern Uganda, often triggering disputes with local communities over land use, crop destruction, and restricted access to public resources.
Museveni outlined a series of grievances including illegal grazing of livestock on people’s farms (locally called “kwonesa”), lack of proper fencing, and water shortages that force herders to trespass during dry seasons.
“Even those with fenced land often lack permanent water sources,” he said, explaining that:“In search of water, they move and their cattle destroy people’s crops.”
He also condemned the practice of fencing off public access routes, such as paths to the River Nile, and the unauthorized occupation of government ranches meant for agricultural research and breeding.
“These so-called patriotic Balaalo even invade government land, blocking national programmes. This is unacceptable,” Museveni said.
The president said legal land ownership does not excuse bad behaviour, adding that non-natives involved in lawful crop farming in the same regions have not provoked backlash.
“Crops do not graze on other crops. It is not about who owns land, but how it is used,” Museveni insisted.
'Misuse of UPDF influence'
Museveni also addressed allegations that some Balaalo herders resist local justice by using their connections to the military.
“In some communities, when livestock damage crops, locals tie up the animals until the owner pays a fine,” he said. “But some arrogant Balaalo reportedly show up with armed relatives from the army, rendering these justice systems powerless. That’s why my Executive Order was necessary.”
The president warned that abuse of cattle movement permits also played a role, with animals being transferred without proper vetting of destination areas for disease control, land availability, or water access.
“Did they even get legal permits to move cattle into government ranches?” Museveni asked. “The whole process must be reviewed.”
'Executive Orders targeting conduct, not migration'
Museveni’s May 2023 Executive Order gave pastoralists until mid-2025 to vacate disputed areas in Northern Uganda and relocate their herds. The directive triggered criticism, including from media figure Andrew Mwenda, who accused the president, of supporting tribal exclusion.
But Museveni dismissed those claims, insisting his orders, including one in 2025, target “illegal and irrational” actors, not law-abiding Ugandans moving across regions.
“I know of a Munyoro woman farming fruit in Nwoya. Locals love her. Why? Because she follows the law. The resentment is not about migration—it’s about destruction,” he said.
Museveni reiterated that peaceful coexistence is possible when rules are respected, adding that legal settlers who do not destroy local livelihoods have no reason to fear.
