Agency
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is set to appoint a verification committee to investigate land-related social conflicts in Northern Uganda arising from the occupation of land by migrant cattle keepers, commonly known as Balaalo.
The plan follows the President’s Executive Order No. 2, issued on June 2, 2025, which directs the eviction of all migrant cattle keepers from Northern Uganda in response to persistent complaints from local communities and leaders.
Under the executive order, the President banned the movement of free-ranging livestock in the region and ordered an audit of claims by some cattle keepers who argue that they legitimately purchased land in the area.
The audit is also expected to examine claims by some cattle owners who maintain that their farms are properly fenced, have permanent water sources, and do not block community access to water.
However, President Museveni emphasised that the verification process would only begin after all cattle had been removed from the region. Nearly ten months after issuing the directive, the Minister of State for Northern Uganda, Kenneth Omona, revealed that the President is now preparing to formally appoint the verification committee after the conclusion of the recent general elections and progress made in the ongoing eviction of migrant cattle keepers.
According to the minister, a joint operation by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and the Uganda Police Force has, since June last year, evicted more than 60,000 head of cattle from Northern Uganda.
“I want all of you to support us in this to ensure that we have stability in the region. Please don’t mobilise against Omona, don’t mobilise against the President. Come, and we have a discussion, and we tell you why we think this is important,” Dr Omona told newly elected leaders from the Acholi Sub-region during a recent meeting in Gulu.
The minister also raised concerns about what he described as anti-government mobilisation campaigns by some leaders in the Acholi sub-region opposing the eviction of the Balaalo. “I want to implore you, my leaders, my colleagues, honourable gentlemen and honourable ladies, take time and study the President’s Executive Order. Study it very well and understand it,” he said.
Dr Omona added that the eviction exercise resumed after the January 15 presidential elections and will be fully implemented. He, however, did not disclose the individuals who will serve on the verification committee, noting that the President will soon announce its members.
“I want to inform you that soon the President will appoint the verification committee that will look at the social issues involved, including land matters, to ensure that at the end of it all, everybody receives justice,” he said.
Residents across the Acholi, Lango, and West Nile sub-regions have accused the migrant herders of causing widespread crop destruction, escalating land conflicts, damaging sacred cultural sites, and contaminating community water sources with their cattle.
Okello Okuna, the Information Minister at Ker Kwaro Acholi, said the appointment of the verification committee has been long overdue.
However, he argued that such verification may be unnecessary, as the Acholi subregion already operates under a well-established customary land tenure system. Okuna said the cultural institution is seeing a concerning trend in which land traditionally owned by communities is being registered and converted into freehold titles.
“Because our land is held under customary ownership, people are supposed to follow the traditions and customs of the community. Are these Balaalo following them? The answer is no,” Okuna said.
He also alleged that the eviction exercise has not fully achieved its objectives, noting that only mature cattle ready for sale have been removed so far. Okuna further called on the government to establish a land registry for holders of Certificates of Customary Ownership (CCOs), which he said are increasingly being treated as inferior to mailo, freehold, and leasehold titles.
Meanwhile, Geoffrey Osborn Oceng, the Resident District Commissioner for Amuru District, welcomed the planned verification committee, noting that new land disputes are already emerging in communities where cattle are being evicted.
According to Oceng, some locals who previously sold land to migrant cattle keepers are now attempting to reclaim the titles and resell the same land to other buyers. “We urgently need the verification committee. This will help us sort out the problems of land ownership,” Oceng said.
President Museveni is expected in Gulu on Saturday, where he will preside over the homecoming ceremony and retirement celebration of Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo, at the Kaunda Parade Ground.
