By Tolit Ivan
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Fifth Infantry Division has so far evicted more than 14,000 heads of cattle from East Acholi and Lango since the operation began in June 2025.
This brings the total number of cattle evicted from Acholi, West Nile and Lango to 86,000, with 72,000 of them evicted from West Acholi and West Nile.
The 14,000 heads of cattle were evicted from government ranches, including Aswa Ranch and Maruzi Ranch, as well as from communities in the region.
Captain Ibrahim Kasule Sekitto, the UPDF Fifth Infantry Division Public Information Officer, confirmed the development to Mega FM, saying the operation is still ongoing to ensure that all defiant cattle keepers leave the region.
On June 18, 2025, President Yoweri Museveni issued Executive Order Number 2 of 2025, directing the immediate eviction of Balaalo cattle keepers from Acholi Sub-region.
The second eviction order is aimed at allowing authorities to audit cattle keepers who claim they legitimately acquired land, fenced their farms or ranches, have permanent water sources and have not blocked communities’ access to permanent water sources, and therefore should not be evicted.
The Balaalo, mainly from western Uganda, began settling in northern Uganda over the past decade in search of grazing land.
