Maj Gen Busizoori Oversees Eviction of Balaalo from Northern Uganda

Nwoya District — Major General Felix Busizoori, Commander of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) 4th Infantry Division, has launched a regional tour to oversee the implementation of Presidential Executive Orders No. 2 and 3 of 2025, which mandate the eviction of illegal pastoralists—commonly known as the Balaalo—from Northern Uganda.

His visit follows a month-long public sensitisation campaign aimed at ensuring peaceful compliance with the orders. Speaking at Got Apwoyo Nagric Ranch on the banks of the River Nile in Nwoya District, Maj Gen Busizoori reported steady progress, with 1,649 head of cattle already evacuated via Karuma Bridge and another 6,000 expected to exit by the end of the week.

The orders, issued by President Yoweri Museveni, also address environmental concerns such as the ban on commercial charcoal burning. Their enforcement marks a continuation of efforts initiated in 2023 under Executive Order No. 3.

Maj Gen Busizoori urged herders to take advantage of the voluntary relocation window, warning of strict consequences for non-compliance. “Anyone caught aiding illegal settlement by fraudulently registering Balaalo cattle as local stock will face prosecution,” he cautioned, amid reports of collusion between herders and local residents.

He acknowledged ongoing logistical challenges, particularly a lack of adequate transport, and appealed for more support to ease the relocation process. Nevertheless, he reassured affected herders that movement permits, veterinary checks, and vaccinations are being provided free of charge at designated holding centres by district veterinary teams.

Security forces and local leaders were commended for their disciplined enforcement of the orders. The UPDF commander also cautioned politicians against interfering with the process, underlining that the operation is “in the national interest.”

So far, nearly 700 cattle belonging to five individuals have been moved from Got Apwoyo Ranch, while an additional 1,616 have been accounted for at Aswa Ranch and other designated centres.

The ongoing operation is part of a broader government push to restore order, safeguard communal land, and protect natural resources in Northern Uganda.