Kasambya County Member of Parliament Hon. Daudi Kabanda and the National chairman Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) has stirred debate after issuing a strong warning to individuals who have attempted to fight the Balaalo pastoralists in Northern Uganda.
In a post on X, Kabanda cautioned those opposing the Balaalo, suggesting that some were already facing consequences for their actions.
“Whoever attempted to fight Balaalo in Northern Uganda will pay. Some of them are already sneezing. You cannot fight Bachwezi who brought us together for 500 years and expect to have peace,” Kabanda wrote.
The remarks have attracted mixed reactions, with the MP's reference to the Bachwezi dynasty adding a historical dimension to the ongoing debate surrounding the presence of Balaalo pastoralists in Northern Uganda.
Kabanda's statement appears to frame the dispute beyond the immediate concerns surrounding land ownership, cattle grazing and community relations, invoking a historical connection to emphasise his position.
The Balaalo question has remained a contentious issue in Northern Uganda, particularly in areas where pastoralists have faced opposition from local communities over land use, grazing practices and alleged encroachment on land.
The dispute has periodically triggered political interventions, with leaders from the region calling for the protection of local land rights and the resolution of conflicts between pastoralists and indigenous communities.
Kabanda's warning has consequently raised questions about how his remarks could influence the already sensitive debate.
While some may interpret his statement as a call for historical unity and peaceful coexistence, others may view the language as confrontational, particularly the warning that those who attempted to fight the Balaalo would pay.
His reference to the Bachwezi, a dynasty associated with Uganda's precolonial history and traditions, has also drawn attention to the role of historical narratives in contemporary political debates.
The reactions highlight the continuing challenge of balancing pastoralist livelihoods, land rights and peaceful coexistence in Northern Uganda.
As debate surrounding the statement continues, questions remain over how the competing interests of local communities and pastoralists can be addressed without escalating tensions.
