UPDF on the spot for misusing ‘Balaalo Order’ to seize Acholi farmers’ cattle

Residents accuse the UPDF of using a presidential order meant to evict Balalo cattle keepers as cover to seize livestock from indigenous Acholi farmers, sparking tensions and condemnation from local leaders.

Pader, Uganda: Residents of Angagura Sub-county in Pader District have accused the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) of abusing Presidential Executive Order No. 2, which calls for the removal of animals belonging to Balalo cattle keepers from northern Uganda, by using it to confiscate Ankole long-horned cattle owned by indigenous Acholi cattle farmers.

55-year-old Okumu Micheal, a resident of Odokomiit Village, says soldiers attached to the 5th UPDF Infantry Division seized 151 head of cattle from his kraal on customary land measuring approximately 1,700 acres in Odokomiit Village, Kalawinya Parish in Angagura sub-county, Pader district.

According to Okumu, his livestock is kept in two kraals, one with the 151 animals that were taken away and another with 227 head still on his land. He says he and his business partner, Labalpiny Paul, have been engaged in livestock farming on the land since 2010.

The two jointly own 378 head of cattle, some of which were purchased from a one Muzei Kakuru James, who, on 6 December 2023, sold and transferred 40 head to Okumu and 35 head to Labalpiny.

Okumu alleges that on 31 July 2025, at around 7:00 a.m., soldiers from the 507 Brigade, commanded by Colonel Richard Watmon, unlawfully drove away the 151 cattle to a collection centre. Despite presenting proof of ownership, including sales agreements and a letter of confirmation from the Pader Resident District Commissioner (RDC) issued in 2023, their attempts to recover the animals have been unsuccessful.

“The order in the Executive Order is strictly to evict Balalo from both government and private land, not to displace indigenous natives,” said Labalpiny. 

He, however, acknowledged that some local farmers in Acholi have been accused of sheltering Balalo cattle under the pretext that the animals belong to them, in order to evade eviction.

Efforts to speak to the 5th Infantry Division Commander, Col. Keith Kutunzira, were unsuccessful as his phone was switched off. Journalists were also barred from attending a community meeting in Angagura that was attended by the RDC, the Division Commander, other security officials, and local leaders.

Residents further accuse the army of destroying property on customary land in the course of enforcing the Presidential Executive Order. This prompted the Acholi Paramount Chief, Rwot David Onen Achana, to visit Angagura on 25 July 2025.

He condemned what he described as the excessive and violent methods used by the UPDF to evict residents from disputed land in Angagura Sub-county, particularly within Aswa and Acholi ranches.

“The actions of the soldiers are unnecessary and only inflame tensions,” Rwot Achana said.

The growing tensions over the implementation of the Executive Order, as government efforts to remove Balalo cattle keepers from the north continue to face resistance from some Balalo herders and accusations of abuse by leaders and locals.