A group of Members of Parliament from Northern Uganda has called on the government to urgently implement Presidential Directive Number 3, which orders the eviction of Balaalo cattle keepers who have allegedly acquired land in Acholi sub-region through fraudulent means.
The appeal was led by Hon. Betty Aol Ocan, the interim chairperson of the Acholi Parliamentary Group, during a press briefing in Gulu City on Monday. She criticized the government’s inaction, noting that the two-week ultimatum issued on May 23 by State Minister for Northern Uganda Dr. Kenneth Omona had expired with no evictions carried out.
MPs Warn of Political Repercussions
Hon. Gilbert Olanya, MP for Kilak South, accused certain local leaders of accepting bribes to stay silent on the issue and warned that failure to act on the Balaalo crisis would result in a loss of support for the government in the 2026 general elections.
“If the President’s order is ignored, the government risks alienating the Acholi people,” said Olanya. “Let Museveni be clear—these herdsmen must leave our land.”
Environmental and Agricultural Impact
Christopher Oruka, an environmental activist, highlighted the destructive impact of the Balaalo’s presence, accusing them of cutting trees and allowing their animals to destroy local farms. He emphasized that the issue extends beyond land ownership to sustainability and food security for affected communities.
A Delayed Response With Dangerous Consequences
Despite the presidential order, there is growing frustration over government inaction, with critics pointing to unclear reasons for the delay in enforcement. Police and local officials have yet to begin evictions or provide a roadmap for resolving the land tensions peacefully.
“The delay in implementing this directive is eroding public trust,” said Hon. Aol. “Government must walk the talk.”
The Balaalo—a group of cattle-keeping communities from Western Uganda—have been at the center of a land use conflict in Northern Uganda for several years. Residents and leaders in Acholi accuse them of illegally acquiring land, damaging natural resources, and fuelling ethnic tensionshttps://ugandatimes.ug/2025/06/17/acholi-mps-balaalo-eviction-uganda-2025/https://chimpreports.com/
