President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has issued yet another fresh order to indiscriminately evict all Balaalo Cattle from Northern Uganda.
The classified written and signed order (executive order No. 2 of June 2025) read by Brig Gen Felix Busizoori, Commander 4th Div, direct security and selected agencies to man serious operation to see that all cattle belonging to Balaalo herdsmen in Northern Uganda exit the area with immediate effect.
One week which started Yesterday June 18th-24th is given to owners to evacuate their animals and exit through Karuma Bridge. The order directs that all cattle must leave the area regardless of whether the owner has bought land, fenced their farms, or have water sources available on their farms.
The order further states that those who claims to have legitimized their animal farming in the area must first take away their animals from the region and a team has been set to conduct auditing, to ascertain the legality of their claims because the current situation of Balaalo herding has met resistance from communities due to animals destruction of food crops, community water sources, land tenure system and even murder.
Operation codenamed, "Operation Harmony," will take 65 days. It will be conducted in three phases. The first phase taking one week is for sensitization and voluntary exit, and secondly from June 25th, this phase will be for deliberate or forceful eviction of those who may fail to comply with the order. It will start immediately with the indisciplined herdsmen and those operating on government land and the third and last phase will be for those who claim to meet all the requirements.
Politicians are warned to stay out and not involve themselves in the exercise. Further warned from inciting locals from cutting animals belong to the Balaalo because all criminal acts will be prosecuted.
Agencies to man the operation includes, UPDF, Police, UWA, NFA, International Affairs(Immigration), RDCs, LC1s, LC3s and the community.
