President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has issued a strong response to growing tensions surrounding the Balaalo pastoralists in Northern, North-Western, and Eastern Uganda, blaming their disruptive behavior on carelessness, lack of proper planning, and outright disregard for local communities.
In a statement shared via his social media platforms and addressed particularly to “Fellow Ugandans, especially the Bazzukulu,” Museveni dismissed recent social media narratives as distortions, clarifying that the real issues stem not from tribalism, but from specific, avoidable actions by some Balaalo cattle keepers.
“The main problem,” the President stated, “is kwonesa, the act of allowing livestock to graze on other people’s crops. Is that what patriotism looks like in a united Uganda?”
Museveni explained that this destructive practice often arises when Balaalo introduce cattle into areas without proper fencing, whether barbed wire (senge-nge) or chain link (obutiimba), and without reliable water sources on their farms. During dry seasons, livestock wander in search of water, leading to conflict with local crop farmers.
Even where fencing exists, Museveni noted that some Balaalo have carelessly blocked public access routes to vital water bodies like the Nile River, further fueling community anger.
“The issue of non-Acholis or non-Northerners owning land in the North is secondary,” the President emphasized. “The immediate irritant is the reckless behavior, kwonesa and obstruction of public routes. Even if land ownership is legal, it does not give anyone the right to damage other people’s livelihoods.”
Museveni also revealed that some Balaalo have gone as far as illegally occupying government ranches, hindering state-led agricultural projects such as cattle breeding. “This kind of disordered patriotism,” he warned, “is not just unlawful, it also invites locals to question whether the government itself still values those ranches.”
The President questioned whether the Balaalo had obtained legal cattle movement permits (ebaruha y’ okufuruka), and if so, why authorities failed to verify the adequacy of fencing, water, and disease control in both origin and destination areas.
He dismissed claims, including those by political commentator Andrew Mwenda, that the government’s actions amounted to tribal discrimination.
“My Executive Orders do not condone tribal chauvinism. I know of a Munyoro woman, Adyeeri, a respected fruit farmer in Nwoya. Locals appreciate her because she acts legally and responsibly,” Museveni said.
He also acknowledged that kwonesa is not exclusive to the Balaalo.
He noted that even among Northerners, conflicts arise, but traditional conflict-resolution methods, such as tying up the offending cow until its owner pays a fine, often work.
However, he criticized some Balaalo for allegedly using military connections to avoid accountability.
“These situations call for the intervention of the President, not because of ethnicity, but because law and order must be maintained, even among fellow Ugandans,” he said firmly.
In conclusion, Museveni reaffirmed that freedom of movement within Uganda is protected, but not when it becomes a vehicle for lawlessness and disrespect. His tone was direct: “Loving Uganda doesn’t mean invading others’ farms and breaking fences.”
