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Balalo Herdsmen Given 14 Days to Vacate Northern Uganda
23 May 2025, 7:25 pm
By Emmy Daniel Ojara
zaagulu@gmail.com
Nomadic pastoralists commonly known as balalo herdsmen have been given 14 days effective this Friday, 23rd May 2025, to vacate northern Uganda with their cattle or risk forceful evictions.
State Minister for Northern Uganda, Kenneth Omona says this followed a meeting with President Museveni on 19th May, 2025 and the lifting of animal quarantine following successful vaccination of all animals in the country against foot and mouth disease (FMD).
Minister Omona who was flanked by Forth Infantry Division Commander, Major General Felix Busizoori and fifth division army deputy commander Col David Opeero made the pronouncement during a press briefing held at the office of the prime minister in Gulu City on Friday.
The operation targets at least 757 herdsmen and more than 92,000 heads of cattle in Lango, Acholi and West Nile sub regions.
Major General Busizoori says defiant herdsmen will have their cattle impounded and auctioned, adding that those exiting will use only the Karuma Bridge.
The operation and movement will be conducted between 8 in the morning and 5 in the evening on the issuance of a movement permit by the veterinary officers from the two divisions.
The operation seeks to protect the people from indiscipline cattle keepers who destroy people`s property.
Fifth army division deputy commander, Col David Opeero says all is set for the operation.