Balaalo saga: Army quells clashes at Apac ranch as tensions escalate over illegal grazing

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A flare-up over illegal grazing in Maruzi Ranch has left 11 gardens destroyed and several cattle injured, triggering the intervention of local leaders and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) to defuse growing tensions between migrant cattle herders aka Balaalo and local farmers.

The incident comes amid renewed government pressure to enforce President Yoweri Museveni’s 2023 directive ordering the eviction of non-compliant Balaalo from northern Uganda, particularly those occupying public land without fencing of water sources.

In the latest case, cattle belonging to Nzarubara were found grazing unlawfully inside Maruzi Ranch, damaging gardens in Abongker Village, Tarugali Parish, Ibuje sub-county in Apac district.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the army fifth division spokesperson Capt. Edrin Mawanda, the tense standoff was swiftly stabilised after a joint leadership team visited the area.

The team comprising the Apac Resident District Commissioner (RDC), the commanding officer of the 103 Battalion, Ibuje LC3 chairperson, Ibuje sub-county chief and the police assessed the extent of the destruction caused by the grazing cattle.

During their visit, it was discovered that three of the cows had sustained panga cuts on their tails allegedly inflicted by angry farmers retaliating for the destruction of their crops.

To ease tensions, the parties reached a compromise: The affected farmers agreed to accept half of the compensation initially demanded, in recognition that they had also taken matters into their own hands.

Additionally, the 37 impounded cattle were relocated across the Kungu Ferry to the far side of Masindi Port, removing the immediate source of conflict.

The UPDF has since deployed a contingent in the area to maintain peace and prevent further flare-ups.

"The UPDF remains committed to safeguarding the lives and property of all Ugandans," Capt. Mawanda affirmed.

Museveni’s crackdown  

The Maruzi Ranch incident is only the latest in a broader national campaign to regulate illegal grazing and restore order in northern Uganda.

In May 2023, President Museveni issued Executive Order No. 3, targeting a range of issues affecting the region, including commercial charcoal production, cattle rustling, and the unlawful presence of Balaalo herders.

Under the order, Balaalo without fenced land and independent water sources in Acholi, Lango, Teso, and West Nile sub-regions were directed to vacate within three weeks, or face eviction.

This directive also applied to those occupying government ranches such as Aswa and Maruzi without authorisation. Balaalo who could prove legal land ownership, proper fencing and water access were allowed to remain temporarily pending further scrutiny.

Enforcement intensified in November 2023, when the President, through a letter to the Prime Minister, gave Balaalo a two-month ultimatum to comply or face imprisonment and cattle confiscation.

The directive was reiterated again in May 2025 by state minister Dr Kenneth Omona, who issued a two-week notice to all remaining Balaalo to vacate. He warned that failure to submit valid cattle movement permits would result in forceful eviction, supported by UPDF deployment at key points like Karuma Bridge.

Why the crackdown?

Government officials cited several reasons:

Protecting farmers: Balaalo cattle had repeatedly damaged local farms, triggering community outrage and loss of livelihood.

Upholding order: The President accused the Balaalo of being “indisciplined” and sometimes armed, undermining social harmony.

Environmental control: The order was part of a broader push to curb deforestation, cattle theft, and unlawful land use.

To enforce the directive, a multi-agency task force was formed, including security officials, RDCs, police, and veterinary officers. Initial evictions began in December 2023, but were temporarily paused due to an outbreak of livestock disease. Operations resumed in May 2025, focusing on herders without proper documentation.

A national priority

President Museveni's executive order reflects a sustained national strategy to restore land integrity, protect farming communities, and regulate nomadic grazing practices.

With the UPDF actively supporting civilian authorities on the ground, the government has reaffirmed its resolve to end the long-running conflicts associated with unregulated cattle herding in the north.