By Patrick Opio
and James Oloch

THE Amolatar district authorities have given the Balaalo (herdsmen) a two-week ultimatum to quit the area.
The local leaders from Apac district have also vowed to seek a court order to evict the pastoralists whom they accused of invading them.

According to the Apac chairman, Nicholas Opio-Bunga, the pastoralists have about 10,000 herd of cattle.
“The pastoralists are crossing from Masindi into Maruzi ranch daily. We are worried. This is the fifth time these pastoralists are returning to our area forcefully,” he told an emergency meeting of area leaders at the Maruzi county headquarters at Ibuje on Friday.

The local leaders said the cattle were destroying their gardens in Ibuje, Akokoro and Chawente sub-counties.

The meeting called for the deployment of the Police and veterinary officers at all entry points into the district.

They also asked for an animal census to identify the pastoralists’ animals.
The leaders also agreed that the district land board repossesses the 65.9 square miles at Maruzi ranch from the Government, adding that the land was idle and attracting the pastoralists.

Locals were warned against colluding with the pastoralists for personal profit.
Amolatar LC5 chairman Alfred Adoli Ogwok said over 600 Balaalo with 2,000 head of cattle invaded Namasale sub-county.

Adoli said the herdsmen had settled in the five parishes of Aci, Akwoyo, Alokere dam and Kong-goro in Namasale sub-county.

The pastoralists sell their cattle and produce in the local markets. The busiest centres, Igoti in Ibuje and Akokoro, are thronged by buyers from Lira and Apac towns.