By: GNNA Editor
Gulu
As the voluntary period of three weeks given by President Yoweri Museveni nears to an end, the government has laid out plans to ensure the forceful eviction of Balaalo from unfenced land, government ranches and game reserves is done with due diligence.
In the tight guidelines issued by the state Minister of Northern Uganda Rehabilitation Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny, on November 16, 2023, the eviction will be overseen by her office and conducted by the Uganda Police and Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF).
At the district level, the processes will be supervised by the Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) who head the District Security Committee in each of the districts in Acholi, Lango and West Nile Sub region.
The team members include the District Police Commanders, District Internal Security Officers, Veterinary officers and at the village level, it will include the Local Council I chairperson, Rwot Kweri of the area where the farm is located among others.
In order to remove fears that some errant Balaalo could steal livestock from the locals into their cattle herds, Kwiyucwiny said the local leaders will verify true ownership of all animals leaving their areas and a Parish Chief and Sub-County Chief must keep records of all animals that will be exited from the Parish or Sub-county.
Upon being loaded from the holding ground, Kwiyucwiny added that UPDF will escort them from the villages to the district to ensure there is no diversion from the designated routes.
Once issued with a movement permit by the veterinary officer, a pick copy of it will be retained by the police and UPDF at the final exit check points of Karuma, Masindi Port and Namasale for record purposes.
The Minister however emphasized that the first phase only targets those who have not fenced off their land using barbed wires.
Other categories that will be evicted from November 25, 2023 when the three weeks will have elapsed are those occupying Aswa Ranch in Pader district, Maruzi Ranch in Apac district which are government ranches and Madhivani sugar works land in Lakanga Sub County, Amuru district.
Designated routes
Routes have been mapped out with several checkpoints to ensure compliance and deter diversion of cattle to other districts. The cattle from Otuke, Kwania and Apac must use Otuke-Lira-Apac-Masindi Port routes.
Those from Arua, Madi Okolo, Terego, Moyo and Pakwach shall pass via Pakwach bridge through to Karuma check point; animals from Lamwo, Kitgum, Pader and Gulu must use the Kitgum- Acholi Bur-Gulu-Kamdini-Karuma route.
Cattle from Obongi, Moyo, Yumbe and Adjumani will use the Adjumani ferry to Adjumani-Atiak-Gulu-Kamdini-Karuma Bridge check-point
Cattle from Lamwo, Kitgum and Pader must use Kitgum-Acholibur-Gulu-Kamdini Karuma route. Animals from Gulu and Amuru must go through Layibi checkpoint and be recorded at Karuma Bridge.
David Ongom Mudong, Aswa River Region Police Spokesperson said police is going to use the Police Investigation and Crime Intelligence departments to ensure that matters which require investigation are handled to make sure the exercise is peaceful.
Maj. Telesphor Turyamumanya, the fourth Division UPDF Public Relations Officer said that the army is ready to back up the exercise to ensure that the president’s Executive Order No. 3 is implemented as required.
Turyamumanya explained that they will rely on intelligence led surveillance through helicopters, land forces and also available logistical means such as motorcycles and vehicles.
Over 80 Balaalo affected in Amuru
Though there are no clear records of how many Balaalo are present in the three sub regions and the population of cattle, in Amuru district over 80 Balaalo are reported to be non-compliant.
The Resident District Commissioner Amuru, Stephen Odong Latek said the affected are estimated to own at least 4,000 herds of cattle.
“This number is not static. It may rise or even fall further. This is because others are still fencing their land and once by November 24, 2023 they are found to have fenced, they will not be evicted,” Odong explained.
Owiny Dollo, Gen. Otema call for calmness
The Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo and Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) Reserve Force Commander Lt Gen. Charles Otema Awany have advised locals where the Balaalo have pitched camp to remain calm.
During a talk show held on Radio Rupiny in Gulu City, Owiny-Dollo said it is upon the government to investigate, verify and expel those who are illegally living in the regions.
He added that the Presidential Executive Order is a presidential mandate that is also very clear that the government shall carry out her mandate in evicting them responsibly.
“There are those who are claiming that all the ‘Balaalo’ should be expelled whether they got land legally or not which is not achievable,’’ he said
Justice Owiny-Dollo called for truth telling in the looming eviction of the Balaalo, especially those who have bought land genuinely and met all the conditions of fencing and provision of water for their animals.
Relatedly, Gen. Otema said evicting all the Balaalo is not the way to go but scrutiny is paramount.
“Let us work hand in hand so that we get rid of those that are in the region illegally. We have those who are here legally and they should be allowed to stay,’’ he said
In a recent sensitization meeting held from Palaro sub-county in Gulu district, John Gonzaga the Chairman of Cattle farmers in Palaro Sub County expressed happiness that the eviction is going to be done peacefully.
“My people were worried that all the cattle keepers were going to be evicted from the region. But I am glad that if someone is compliant, he will stay,” he noted.
Implementing the Executive Order in totality
Whereas much focus has been the Balaalo question as of the issues contained in the Executive Order No. 3 that was issued in May 2023, the Minister of Northern Uganda said the implementation is going to include all the other issues in it.
During the implementation, focus is also going to be on charcoal dealers who are still hiding in forests and the issue of cattle raiders from Karamoja sub region into Agago and Kitgum districts.
