By Emmanuel Olinga
Residents of Kapelebyong District have raised alarm over the invasion of Balalo herdsmen, accusing them of causing widespread destruction of crop gardens and natural vegetation, including grass traditionally used for building huts.
The most affected areas are in Alito Subcounty, particularly the villages of Ogwotai A, Ogwotai B, and Alito in Akileng Parish, where herds of cattle belonging to the Balalo have grazed through people’s gardens.
Residents say the destruction has left them helpless and at risk of food insecurity.
Robert Ongareno, the LCIII chairperson of Alito Subcounty, confirmed that the Balalo infiltrated the district from Otuke in Northern Uganda without authorization.
He noted that Akileng Parish has been the hardest hit, with over 160 cattle destroying people’s gardens.
Several community members, including David Ejomu, Charles Ogole, Silvester Emesu, and Justine Enabu, blamed a few residents for allegedly collaborating with the herdsmen.
Those named include Acak Emmanuel (Alito Central), Obuwa David (Alito Central), and Ecoru Nathan (Ogwotai A, Imageso clan), along with Amuge Faith of Oringoi village.
The community accuses them of betraying their neighbors by providing grazing space to the Balalo.
Boniface Otim, a farmer, narrated his loss, saying he had invested over UGX 150,000 in a rice garden, half of which was destroyed by the Balalo cattle.
However, Moses Erongu, son of Ecoru Nathan, denied knowledge of the Balalo invasion, despite the herdsmen being hosted on his father’s land.
During a community intervention led by LCV Chairperson Francis Akorikin, residents from Ogwotai A, Orimoi, and Alito Central resolved to either evict the Balalo or restrict them strictly within the hired land.
Reports indicate that Ecoru Nathan had hired out 15 gardens of his land to the Balalo for UGX 1.5 million, allowing them to settle and graze their cattle there.
Despite a presidential directive requiring the Balalo to vacate the Greater North, herdsmen continue to wreak havoc in farming communities.
Farmers in Teso have now joined others in Lango, Acholi, and West Nile in expressing frustration over the unending destruction.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni recently ordered that all Balalo operating in non-fenced farmland must leave the Greater North immediately.
“Those who have got cows in non-fenced areas must go immediately because this is recklessness. Why should you bring cows in an area where you have no control? Therefore, I direct the Division Commander, the Regional Police Commander, and the Minister for Northern Uganda to issue orders for these people to move their cows. Anybody who has got cows in a non-fenced area, they must go. All of them,” the President emphasized.
The directive was issued during his visit to Okidi, Atiak Sub county in Amuru District, where he met residents to address the crisis of Balalo settlement.
He further ordered that herdsmen occupying government land, such as Lakang and Aswa ranch, should vacate immediately.
Museveni acknowledged that after his earlier Executive Order banning the Balalo from Acholi, he received mixed reactions.
However, he stressed that the government was determined to solve the matter in a manner that balances security, community concerns, and national interests.
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