Gulu City, Uganda: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has issued a second Executive Order directing the immediate and indiscriminate eviction of all cattle belonging to Balaalo pastoralists from Northern Uganda, in a renewed bid to resolve escalating land conflicts and illegal grazing.
The order, Executive Order No.2 of June 2025, was read on Wednesday by Brig. Gen. Felix Busizoori, Commander of the UPDF 4th Division, during a press briefing at the Division Barracks in Gulu.
The directive, codenamed Operation Harmony, follows Executive Order No.3 of May 2023, which failed to fully address the destruction of farmland and community tensions caused by unregulated herding.
“This order bans any further movement of animals into or within Northern Uganda and criminalizes the practice,” Gen. Busizoori declared. “Communities set up to audit those claiming fenced land and water sources will only begin work after all cattle are removed.”
The UPDF Commander highlighted a three-phase operation spanning 65 days, starting with a grace period of seven days for voluntary evacuation. Forceful eviction of non-compliant herders will begin on June 25, followed by a final verification phase to audit legitimate landholders.
“We are appealing to cattle keepers to leave voluntarily. Use this period to prepare, hire trucks, relocate your animals, and work with security and veterinary officers to receive proper exit permits,” Busizoori added.
The implementation, according to the UPDF Gen, will be led by security agencies and authorized government institutions, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Uganda Police, UWA, NFA, Immigration, Ker Kwaro Acholi, and local LC1 and LC3 leaders. Politicians have been barred from interfering in the exercise.
“No politicians will participate. Give us space to do our job,” Gen. Busizoori emphasized.
Commissioner of Police Acaye Paul, speaking for the Inspector General of Police, urged the public to remain calm and cooperate. “We are ready and well-coordinated. Share only accurate information. Any acts of indiscipline will be dealt with.”
Mr. Geoffrey Oceng Orsbon, the Northern Uganda RDC Coordinator, confirmed that all Resident District Commissioners have been instructed to enforce the order in their districts. “This is a governance matter. All RDCs will follow clear SOPs. Politicians should not incite or interfere,” he warned.
The new directive notes that the unsupervised influx of Balaalo herders into the north, east, and west of Uganda is unsustainable due to the lack of fenced grazing land, the absence of permanent water sources, and frequent land disputes with local communities.
“It is both criminal and unjust for local farms to be destroyed and crops eaten by free-roaming animals,” the order reads, calling the issue a major threat to local food security and community safety.
Despite a 2023 ban, enforcement has been weak. The new order is expected to inject urgency and clarity into the government’s handling of the situation.
The directive comes just days after Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, met with Rwot David Onen Acana II, the Paramount Chief of Acholi, earlier this week and assured him that all Balaalo herders will be removed from Acholi land.
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