President Yoweri Museveni has publicly criticized the disruptive and disrespectful conduct of the Balaalo pastoralist communities operating in northern, north-western, and eastern Uganda, stating that their actions are fueling widespread community resentment and unrest.
In a detailed statement released on Sunday, Museveni outlined a series of problematic behaviours attributed to some Balaalo groups. These include allowing their livestock to graze on people’s crops (locally known as kwonesa), illegally occupying land, and obstructing public access to essential facilities like rivers. He emphasized that such behaviour undermines patriotism, violates communal rights, and threatens national cohesion.
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The President linked the crop destruction primarily to the Balaalo’s failure to establish proper fencing and secure water sources on their properties, which forces them to move cattle across other people’s land, especially during dry seasons. He further noted that even some pastoralists who have fenced their land still violate boundaries and restrict public passage, including access to government ranches—interfering with national cattle breeding initiatives.
Museveni questioned whether these herders had legally obtained livestock movement permits and urged local authorities to assess destination suitability when issuing such documents, including water access, fencing adequacy, and potential risks to nearby farmlands.
Responding to accusations of tribal bias, Museveni maintained that his directives target unlawful conduct rather than ethnic identity. He cited a positive example of peaceful coexistence—Adyeeri, a Munyoro fruit farmer in Nwoya district—whose lawful and respectful approach has earned community acceptance.
Museveni reminded all landowners, including Balaalo who have purchased land in the region, that ownership does not grant the right to harm neighbouring property or block traditional access routes. He contrasted the relative harmony of local crop-growing communities—who resolve livestock-related conflicts through customary mechanisms like fines—with the hostility introduced when certain pastoralists arrive with military-linked backing.
He concluded that the arrogance and disregard for community rights exhibited by some Balaalo justifies direct intervention through executive orders, as local systems have proven insufficient in addressing the scale and severity of the conflict.
The statement comes amid escalating tensions and calls from leaders in northern Uganda for stronger action against land encroachment and the destruction of livelihoods by nomadic herders.
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