Global Politics
UGANDA: PRESIDENT MUSEVENI GAVE 7 DAYS ULTIMATUM RO BALAALO EVICITION FROM NORTHERN UGANDA.-DR. KENNTH OMONA
The State of Nation address President Museveni is silent of Balaalo in northern Uganda and Moroto road via Awere his former Master seed root
The Acholi community still cast doubts if the 5th Presidential Executive Order No 5 Balaalu eviction is not a political gimmick to hoodwink voters from the Greater North ahead of Feb 13, 2026, parliamentary and Presidential polls.
The minister ended his communication by calling upon the herdsmen to cooperate and follow the presidential directive for the safety of their animals, not to be complicated and regarded as themselves. He reminded them that this voluntary ultimatum starts right away on 23rd May and it ends on 5th June 2025. Warning that thereafter, those who will still be found lingering around with their animals will be forcefully kicked now by the UPDF.
GULU CITY-FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2025.
Okumu Livingstone Langol & Olwoch Jacob
Dr. Kenneth Omona, the state Minister for Northern Uganda, Friday, 23, 2025 in a press briefing held in the office of the Prime Minister, Northern Uganda, yet again reiterated President Museveni’s Presidential Executive Order No. 5th, giving a 7-day ultimatum to leave Acholi land.
“I am issuing a day’s ultimatum communication on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Uganda, the resumption of the planned eviction of Nomadic herdsmen, commonly known as Balaalu, from the northern part of the country. The eviction was halted on 18 December 2023 due to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the country last year, which halted all movement of animals and their products.” The state minister. Kenneth Omona told the Northern Uganda Media Club.
Dr. Kenneth Omona stressed that when they had a meeting with the president on 19th May 2025, the president ordered that these indiscipline herdsmen should leave northern Uganda with immediate effect. The two-week ultimatum starts immediately after the minister’s communication on 23 May 2025.
This operation is aimed at expelling 757 Herdsmen with 92 thousand herds of cattle from the northern Uganda sub-regions of Acholi, Lango, and West Nile Sub-Region
According to Omona, this operation will be conducted under the leadership of the 4th Division Army Commander, Major General Felix Busizoori, and his counterpart leadership, the UPDF Commander of the 5th Division infantry covering East Acholi and Lango Sub Region respectively, both present were present during the press briefing in the office of OPM.
Major General Felix Busizoori, the UPDF4th Division Commander, argued that on his side, the move aims to guard against environmental insecurity being caused by the Balaalu and also to protect the community against these indiscipline herdsmen.
Busizoori called on the community in Northern Uganda to cooperate with the security forces to make a successful operation, however, he warned those wrong elements who want to use the time to jeopardize this operation by soliciting the bribes or those trying to bribe their way that they remain or hide their animals says they are wasting their time and money because it will not work easily for them this time around.
UPDF4th Division Commander also cautioned the thieves who will take advantage to benefit out of the situation, as they planned to use this time to steal other people’s animals under the pretext that the eviction on ongoing, stating that the security network is going to be so tight and strong on the ground as well.
“Those who want to gain from the eviction of the Balaalu because they have solicited funds from them, stating that both of the Balaalu and those trying to hide them will be dealt with seriously by the operation team commanded by the UPDF.” The general warned.
Gen. Busizoori made it clear that both the herdsmen with their animals exiting the region will be protected because that’s the key role of the UPDF, to protect people and their property.
Col. David Okello, the deputy commander 5th Division Infantry, says they are mapping all the areas where the animals are and who their owners are, and also, we are establishing the holding ground areas where the animals will be kept.
“I called on all the stakeholders in this move, including the local leaders, the community, to work closely with security during this operation.” Col. Okello warned.
Minister Omona, in his closing remarks, called on the community of northern Uganda to be calm advise them not take the law into their hands during this operation give directive that all the exit movement roots will be follow during operation to be carry out, stressed that the operation will be during day time, warning that no night movement with animals for those trying to escape to avoid the operation, warns them that those people will be regarded as thieves.
Dr. Kenneth Omona made it clear that the exit point will only be one and that is through Karuma bridge point of the exit not any other roots, and only the Balaalo herdsmen will issued with exit permits which is given by the District Veterinary Officers in the operation regions, Indicating the number of animals and the ownership of the animals one is exiting with will be allowed to leave the sub region. Those trying to exit without a permit will be taken as thieves and will be dealt with according to the law of our land.
The minister ended his communication by calling upon the herdsmen to cooperate and follow the presidential directive for the safety of their animals, not to be complicated and regarded as themselves. He reminded them that this voluntary ultimatum starts right away on 23rd May and it ends on 5th June 2025. Warning that thereafter, those who will still be found lingering around with their animals will be forcefully kicked now by the UPDF.
Robinson Ocheng, Amuru Residences District Commissioner (RDC), while appearing on Radio Rupiny FM 95.7. Citing the Balaalo in Opaar Sub County, one person has put a road block on the community road, blocking road users, while other Balaalo are grazing their animals on people’s farms.
“The 7 days ultimatum order No. 5th issued by president on 19, May, 2025 whether the Balaalo failed to follow the guideline, we are going to evict them, according to population Century 2024, the number 0f animals in Amuru, the numbers of animals was 102,000.” Robinson Ocheng revealed.
