Kalangala cattle exodus as grazing ban bites

Over 1,600 cattle have been ferried out of Kalangala district following an order by the agriculture ministry to stop grazing of livestock in oil palm farms.

A November 25, 2024, letter by state minister Bright Rwamirama stipulated that herds of cattle were being ferried illegally into the district from unknown locations into Oil Palm Uganda (OPUL) plantations and without following laid down government procedures for livestock movements.

“Grazing in oil palm plantations is very destructive to the project yet it should be on open grassland and farm-controlled environment. I have instructed the commissioner of animal health MAAIF to investigate the origin of those animals and how they access the island with a view of prosecuting the owners and stopping the practice,” the letter reads in part.

Speaking on February 6, 2025, at Kalangala district headquarters after handing over Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF)-aided projects during a function marking the end of the Army Week on Wednesday, agriculture state minister Fred Bwino Kyakulaga confirmed that they have so far recorded 1,600 cattle, which have been transported out of the district in one month.

“We discovered that herds of cattle being grazed in farms hardens the soil which makes it difficult for applied fertilisers to penetrate through, ending up in the running water whenever it rains,” Kyakulaga said.

Handing over projects

Besides medical assortments, the army donated life jackets to the residents, books and pens to Kasekulo Primary School in Mugoye sub-county and St Victor Mulabana in Bujumba sub-county, science laboratory at Sserwanga Lwanga Memorial Secondary School, four-stance pit latrine at Mulabana Landing Site, among others.

The new science laboratory block which was constructed by UPDF.

Kyagalanyi landing site sanitary officer Hadijja Nalukenge said on many occasions, pit latrines last a short period and that within a month, they become dilapidated due to poor quality of materials used.

“The officers engaged us in constructing the pit and we’re sure that this will be the first long-lasting latrine on this landing site, however, we call upon UPDF at least to bring an emptying truck to help us when it’s filled up,” she says

Sserwanga Lwanga board committee chairperson Willy Lugoloobi lauded the army for the laboratory and requested an ICT lab since students study from the library when it comes to hands-on skills.

Embrace government programmes

Though the gun war ended, Minister Bwino encouraged islanders to engage in different Government programmes aimed at economic development.

“Extension of palm oil project in Kyamuswa is soon kicking off and we encourage those with land to embrace it since farmers in Bujumba have stabilised economically through this project,” he added.

Farmers were also urged to desist from grazing their cows on private farms.

Resident District Commissioner Fred Badda urged the islanders to desist from any form of resistance, keep peace which UPDF fought for and lauded the Government for the infrastructure development on the islands.

“We now have two ferries which will soon start night voyages from Masaka to Kalangala and also the Government is yet to open up another route on Lake Victoria which will connect from Kasenyi to Kitobo, Banda, Bufumira and Bukasa with a modern vessel,” say Badda.

Islanders lauded the army for their tremendous efforts in changing the face of the islands.