President Museveni has on Friday ordered the Balaalo with non-fenced farmland in the greater North to leave the region within three weeks.
The Greater North sub-regions which are being occupied by the Balaalo include Acholi, Lango and West Nile.
"Those who have got cows in non fenced areas must go immediately because this is recklessness. Why should you bring cows in an area where you have no control? Therefore I direct the Division commander and the regional police commander and then the minister of Northern Uganda to issue orders for these people to move their cows. Anybody who has got cows in a non-fenced area must go. All of them."
The president made the statement on Friday 3rd November while meeting residents of Okidi, Atiak Sub county in Amuru District.
His visit is aimed at addressing the growing settlement of the Balaalo in the Northern region.
The president however ordered that the Balaalo who are occupying government land like in Lakang and Aswa ranch to leave it.
"They must vacate. I give them three weeks to hire trucks and take their cows wherever they take them. I would have confiscated the cows themselves but let them take their cows, sell them and do whatever they want to do." He said.
He also disclosed that when he passed an executive order banning the Balaalo from Acholi, he started to hear different voices from people and as the ruling party, they always try to hear from everybody to know their side and solve the issue harmoniously.
The President cautioned the people of Acholi and Greater North at large against land fragmentation and also asked cultural leaders to adjust on the laws governing clan land to facilitate development.
He also promised that he would have a final meeting with the two opinions; the one who are for the immediate eviction of the Balaalo and the ones who are saying that go slowly.
