The enforcement of Executive Order No. 2 is underway in Aswa ranch, with Maj. Gen. Keith Katungi, the 5th Division Commander, reaffirming that the directive aims to evict nomadic pastoralists from the Acholi and Lango sub-regions.
Major General Katungi has proposed that farmers who have cultivated crops within Aswa ranch be allowed a grace period to harvest their produce.
However, he stressed that the exact timeline for harvesting will be decided through consultative meetings with local leaders to ensure an inclusive, orderly, and community-sensitive process.
He noted that while the implementation was initially delayed due to an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), the government has since rolled out comprehensive veterinary interventions.
These measures have now enabled security and enforcement agencies to resume operations in accordance with legal provisions.
The top army officer made the remarks during a community engagement on Thursday, July 31, 2025, held at Angagura sub-county in Kitgum district, where he emphasized the need for a sustainable transition.
Capt. Edrin Mawanda, the Public Information Officer of the 5th Infantry Division, stated that the implementation of the Executive Orders would proceed effectively based on their assessments.
Meanwhile, Okumu Martin, the Deputy Prime Minister of Ker Kwaro Acholi, urged local leaders to educate communities on the importance of shifting from nomadic pastoralism to sustainable agriculture and afforestation.
Okumu emphasized that phasing out the nomadic system presents a strategic opportunity for the region to adopt responsible land use, climate-resilient practices, and long-term economic stability.