Adjumani| A high-level security meeting was held on June 2, 2025, in the office of the Resident District Commissioner of Adjumani district.
The meeting brought together key security personnel, local leaders, and representatives from the Balaloo pastoralist community to discuss the implementation of Presidential Executive Order No. 03 of 2023.
The order requires all Balaloo in northern Uganda to leave the region and return to their homes.
This directive was issued following a recent strategic meeting chaired by Dr. Kenneth Omona, Minister of State for Northern Uganda, and attended by the Permanent Secretary, Commandants of the 4th and 5th Infantry Divisions, and the Resident Internal Security Officer (RISO).
The resolution was unequivocal: the movement and settlement of Balaloo and their cattle in northern Uganda must come to an end, and full compliance with the Presidential directive is mandatory.
During the meeting, RDC of Adjumani Taban Data Peter, accompanied by district security leaders, addressed a delegation of Balaloo leaders.
The meeting featured firm but respectful dialogue aimed at ensuring peaceful compliance and cooperation. The RDC emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and order throughout the relocation process.
“The president stated that the people are Ugandans, and if you are Ugandan, you are free to live wherever you want. So, if the problem is the people, then let the people go but I have heard and the cry of the people is not the people but their animals so why can the animals go and the owners stay… when they have bought the land or hired, and you still have some months and the other thing in northern Uganda is: land belongs to the clan,” RDC Data said.
He added: “So, if you are buying land, the whole clan must be involved. But if you only bought land from one person, then that’s your own problem.”
“…because of all this confusion, some of you have even become broker, calling your colleagues to come and buy land at low price: four hundred thousand, one million, collecting money from people and the land has not been bought and they are here, that’s also another problem,” the RDC noted.
He told the meeting that some Balaloo have turned into thieves, stealing from each other and from the communities. “You have opened routes going to South Sudan because you know when you pass from here we will disturb you.”
According to RDC Data, all Balaloo herders would leave by June 6, 2025. “For the land lords, if these people have bought lands with proper documents, the land still belongs to them; don’t say they’re now going and again you start selling the land.”
Major Maxell Jimlex Mutungi, commanding officer of the 63rd Infantry Batalian in Bibia, stated: “Evicting the Balaloo in the northern region is not the initiative of the RDC of Adjumani, nor the initiative of the security team; it is a presidential order.”
He appealed to the Balaloo to cooperate as they are required. “This is an order from the president but we are also guided. If you are going, then you should follow the procedures: get permit from the district vetinary officer and as you go, only use Karuma Bridge as an exit.”
“And I have to remind you: this directive is UPDF-led but all other security organs will join us. Also, we are going to carry this directive during day, we don’t want this thing of hide.”
Major Mutungi urged landlords to resist the temptation to claim the Balaloo’s cattle or even the legally acquired lands if they do not want to face the law.
“So, please, go and prepare to take your cattle before the deadline,” Major Mutungi stated.
In response, several Balaloo leaders expressed concern about logistical challenges but promised to follow the presidential directive.
Kalanzi Charles Ottafire, the speaker of the Balaloo in Adjumani district, expressed his frustration, saying: “We are concerned about the safety of the lands that we have purchased because some of us have already had issues with our landlords, where you will find a plot of land with three different owners and documents.”
“I am already affected Mr. RDC,” said Kalanzi Charles.
The chairman of the Balaloo in Adjumani, Bantareza Peter requested his fellow Balaloo to adhere and cooperate with the directive in order for the security officers to be behind them.
Bantareza stated that if they cooperate, “their land will remain safe and they will be able to practice other economic activities.”
“I know my fellow Balaloo are stubborn but the more we are stubborn the more work we shall create for the security officers who are going to carry this directive. I request, let us cooperate.”
“I know Uganda has laws and our lands will remain. If the landlords attempt to sell them, then they will be the ones to face the law. The good thing is: you can still come back and practice other economic activities on the land – either planting trees, digging and many more. So, let’s cooperate and go.”
The RDC assured them that the government is committed to ensuring a peaceful process, but warned that any act of defiance would result in a strong security response.
A sense of urgency and finality pervaded the room as the meeting came to a close.
As of June 9, the June 6 deadline for all Balaloo in Adjumani to leave had not been followed.
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