Govt gives Balaalo two-week eviction notice

The Government has issued what it says is a strict two-week deadline for migrant herdsmen, commonly referred to as “balaalo”, to leave Northern Uganda, citing non-compliance with presidential directives and escalating insecurity in the region.

Northern Uganda state minister Dr Kenneth Omona made the announcement during a stakeholder meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister in Gulu city. The move enforces Presidential Executive Order No. 3, which targets cattle keepers accused of undermining national policies and contributing to local instability. 

“All herdsmen have two weeks from today to organise themselves and leave the region,” Omona said on May 23, 2025. “The rule of law will be applied strictly for those who fail to comply.”

Omona, according to a statement from the army issued on the same day, stressed that while every Ugandan has the constitutional right to live anywhere in the country, this directive is aimed specifically at a group identified by the President for repeatedly disrupting community stability. 

“The issue is not about contravening the Constitution,” he said. “It is about a particular group of migrant herdsmen who continuously move from one area to another, disregarding community stability and established procedures.”

Land ownership question

Concerns over land ownership have also emerged, with reports of locals alleging that rental agreements were fraudulently converted into sales. A verification team, backed by the military and internal security services, is now investigating these claims.

Supporting the government’s stance, Maj Gen Felix Busizoori (R), the commander of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) 4 Infantry Division, vowed to enforce the eviction under the President’s directive. 

“We have many testimonies of locals who say their rental agreements were converted into sales without their consent,” Omona said.

He called on local leaders to support the directive and raise public awareness of land rights, underlining the President’s alarm over individuals exploiting communities and provoking conflict.

Enforcement of the order

Supporting the government’s stance, Maj Gen Felix Busizoori, the commander of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) 4 Infantry Division, vowed to enforce the eviction under the President’s directive. 

“I believe everyone has rights. However, if you misuse them, you may lose them,” Busizoori said. 

“We estimate around 757 herdsmen and more than 92,000 head of cattle in the region. If they do not comply, measures including livestock auctions will be initiated.”

He warned that the area would not be allowed to turn into a “hard space” for illegal grazing, urging community members to cooperate in reporting violations.

“During operations like this, we work with a fully-fledged legal team to ensure all actions remain within the law,” he added. “This is not a spontaneous crackdown, it is a coordinated effort to restore order.”

Officials underscored that previous warnings were ignored, prompting the current firm and uncompromising approach to enforcement.