Acholi stakeholders laud presidential directive on Balaalo evictions

ACHOLI - Stakeholders in the Acholi region have lauded President Yoweri Museveni for issuing Executive Order Number Two of 2025, which directs the eviction of Balaalo (nomadic pastoralists) and their cattle from Acholi land and northern Uganda within 65 days, effective May 23, 2025.

According to security sources, at least 4,000 cattle belonging to the Balaalo have already been moved off Acholi land since the presidential directive was issued.

The commanding officer of the 4th Division of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Maj. Gen. Felix Busizoori told the press that the eviction process began smoothly, with some Balaalo voluntarily loading and transporting their cattle from areas such as Okidi in Palaro subcounty (Gulu district) and Attiak (Amuru district), among other locations where kraals and holding grounds had been established.

The one-day engagement at Kacoke-Madit Hotel in Koro, Gulu city, attracted over 50 stakeholders from various Acholi districts, including Gulu city. The meeting was organised by the NGO Forum based in Gulu under the theme “Strengthening Citizens’ Engagement and Public Accountability (SCEPA)”.

Former Aruu County MP Dr Samuel Odonga-Otto, delivering the keynote address, praised the President for the executive orders on charcoal trade and the eviction of Balaalo herdsmen.

However, he expressed concern about the potential for political interference and economic interests to derail the implementation, issues that have affected similar efforts in the past.

Cattle

Odonga-Otto said that by 1985, Acholi land had approximately 285,000 cattle, according to the Ministry of Animal and Fisheries statistics. He noted that most of these animals were lost due to raids and other factors.

“Over the years, our (Acholi) cows were either taken or raided. The common explanation was that the Karamojong were responsible, but it is rare to find them as far as Attiak in Amuru,” he said. “Prof. Ogenga-Latigo once told Parliament that the same Foot and Mouth Disease found in Acholi was also discovered in Mbarara at that time.

Therefore, they stole our cows. This is science—you don’t argue with science.”
Odonga-Otto added that some cattle were taken by NRA soldiers in 1988, while others were handed over to rebel factions by locals. He also claimed that the number of cattle currently held by Balaalo herders in Acholi is roughly the same—285,000—as it was in 1985 before the loss.

Education

Odonga-Otto proposed that education and health should remain under full control of the central government and not be delegated to the private sector, arguing that essential services should not be profit-driven.

“In my own opinion, education and health are sectors that should be run entirely by the central government. This will ensure equitable, affordable, and accessible services,” he said. “In countries like the United Kingdom and Spain, the government runs these sectors, and the private sector cannot compete.”

Health

Morris Odong, the LC5 Councillor for Laroo-Pece (Gulu East) Division, echoed Odonga-Otto’s concerns, warning against over-privatisation.

“I do not want to see a future where education and health are fully privatised,” he said.

“We want the National Medical Stores stocked with all essential drugs, all branded by the Government of Uganda, instead of relying on private clinics.”

Kenneth Lubangakene, Programmes Associate at NGO Forum, said stakeholders resolved that the Government should close all privately owned hospitals and clinics, cease issuing licences to new private health facilities, and assume full responsibility for public health to make services more affordable.

He added that the meeting also resolved that Acholi leaders must remain united and vocal in supporting the President’s Executive Orders to ensure the Balaalo eviction is properly implemented.

Agriculture

Lubangakene also revealed that NGOs and stakeholders agreed on the need for the government to provide modern, heavy-duty tractors at the sub-county level to support local farmers in practising mechanised agriculture.

“The government should not stop at distributing hand-held equipment. Sub-county level access to tractors would enable affordable land preparation from ploughing to planting,” he said.

Governance

Gulu city woman MP Betty Aol Ocan lamented that systemic failures in governance had led to drug stockouts and corruption in health services.

“If the government system were working properly, we wouldn’t be dealing with drug theft or medical shortages,” she said. “This failure stems from turning essential services over to private entities. The same goes for education, water, electricity, and other public sectors.”