The Adjumani Resident District Commissioner, Mr. Taban Peter Dada, has instructed the Uganda Police Force, the UPDF battalion, and other security agencies to enforce President Museveni’s Executive Order No. 03 issued on May 3, 2025.
This order follows President Museveni’s directive concerning Balalo pastoralists in Northern Uganda. It addresses issues related to their impact on crops, land ownership, cultural clashes, and the grabbing of government land, amid concerns voiced by local leaders from the Acholi, Lango, and West Nile sub-regions.
The directive demands the immediate removal of cattle from unfenced areas and government land.
However, enforcement has faced resistance from the Balalo herdsmen, who have shown arrogance and defiance, compounded by the outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in the region in 2023.
In response to public outcry, the government issued a 14-day ultimatum beginning from May 23 to June 6, 2025 calling for the removal of cattle and implementation of the May 2023 Executive Order.
Taban Peter Dada, the Resident District Commissioner of Adjumani, emphasized that enforcement would proceed without compromise, following the President’s instructions.
Addressing journalists at his office, he assured them that security forces are ready and called on cattle keepers to cooperate.
He stated: "Some cattle keepers have become experts not only in managing cattle but also in stealing. Some are stealing from each other, and worse, from local communities. Others are trying to sneak through South Sudan to escape responsibility."
Mr. Maxwell Jimlex Mutungi, commanding officer of the 63rd Infantry Battalion Bibia, confirmed that authorities have ordered cattle keepers to return to their places of origin and stressed the importance of following procedures to ensure a smooth transition. He highlighted that cattle keepers are required to obtain permits from the district veterinary officer and use the designated Karuma Bridge for their return journey.
“A multi-agency team comprising UPDF, police, and RDC representatives will oversee the operation. Evictions will be conducted during the day, and designated holding grounds will be established in each sub-county to temporarily house cattle during the process,” said the Commander.
Since the issuance of Executive Order 03 in 2023, only 7,293 cattle have been successfully evicted before the operation was suspended in November the same year due to the Foot and Mouth disease outbreak in the region.
By Gume Esther Wani
