The task force overseeing the eviction of non-compliant Balaalo (nomadic pastoralists) in Northern Uganda confirmed the relocation of 240 cattle from Amuru district on Saturday, January 6, 2024 in a continuation of the Presidential Executive Order issued on May 19, 2023. The eviction, named ‘Operation Harmony,’ aims to enforce conditions outlined in the Executive Order and has been ongoing since November 25, 2023, with a brief hiatus during the Christmas holiday.
Stephen Odong Latek, the Amuru Resident District Commissioner, reported that the impounded cattle were driven from Lakang Sub-County, situated on government-owned land earmarked for sugarcane cultivation through the Madhvani company. The move comes after the eviction of 300 cattle belonging to nomadic pastoralist Joshua Kato, who had illegally settled on Lakang sub-county government land.
Latek emphasized that the operation focuses solely on removing non-compliant Balaalo, with land ownership and transactions falling under the jurisdiction of the President’s office. He urged both locals and cattle keepers not to perceive the eviction as a tribal or political agenda but as adherence to the Presidential Executive Order.
Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny, the State Minister for Northern Uganda in the Office of the Prime Minister, detailed the conditions stipulated in Executive Order 3, leading to evictions. These include a four-strand wire fencing, water trench for animals, proportional allocation of animals to land size, and prohibition of government-owned land.
The task force faced challenges such as poor road conditions, muddy terrain, and logistical issues since the initiation of the exercise in November. Latek acknowledged the hindrances but affirmed that they are managing within their budget, expressing optimism about the benefit of Parliament’s budget allocation for the operation.
By December 15, 2023, a total of 4,692 cattle had been impounded in northern Uganda, with 3,386 already evicted and 1,306 held in various animal holding centers awaiting eviction. President Museveni’s Order 3 mandated the eviction of non-compliant nomadic pastoralists by November 24, 2023, with subsequent extensions to June 30 and then to November 4.
