The government has begun a large-scale eviction of migrant cattle herders locally known as ‘Balaalo’ from Northern Uganda, as enforcement of President Yoweri Museveni’s Executive Order No. 2 kicks into high gear.
In just under a week since the operation started in June 2025, security forces have already overseen the removal of more than 3,000 cattle from the Acholi and West Nile sub-regions, in a move aimed at curbing land conflicts and crop destruction.
Speaking on the progress of Operation Harmony, Maj. Gen. Felix Busizoori, Commander of the UPDF 4th Infantry Division, confirmed the figures.
“Despite some complaints and resistance, many cattle keepers have started complying with the presidential directive,” Gen. Busizoori said.
By June 28, a total of 3,119 cattle had been cleared from various kraals and were being held at designated sub-county grounds awaiting transportation out of the region.
Operation Harmony, jointly executed by the UPDF and Uganda Police Force, marks the second phase of enforcement after herders were issued a two-week grace period to remove their animals voluntarily.
President Museveni’s executive order signed on June 1, 2025 builds on a 2023 directive that banned the grazing of cattle by migratory herders across Northern and Northeastern Uganda, citing the widespread destruction of community crops and a surge in land disputes.
“The primitive spreading of land misuse that fuels community tensions and destroys crops” must end, the President stated in the order.
Although the operation has faced legal resistance, with over 300 herders petitioning the High Court, claiming a violation of their constitutional rights and calling for verification of land ownership, Gen. Busizoori made it clear the exercise will not stop.
“Enforcement will proceed uninterrupted unless the President issues further instructions,” he stated.
Local support for the operation is strong. Cultural, religious, and political leaders from the Acholi Sub-region have unanimously backed the executive orders and demanded complete enforcement.
Reading a unified resolution on behalf of stakeholders, Robert Mugabe stressed the need for transparency and local participation in the ongoing verification process.
“As Acholi, we commit to the full and successful realization of all aspects of the executive orders,” Mugabe said.
“Local leaders must be involved in every technical step of the verification process.”
President Museveni has also signaled a more permanent shift in policy.
He directed the Attorney General to begin drafting legislation that would criminalize migratory herding, effectively banning free-range livestock movement across Uganda for the long term.
While acknowledging that some herders may own land and have fenced it, Museveni insisted that all cattle be removed immediately, pending a fresh national audit to determine legitimate ownership claims.
With Operation Harmony set to run for 65 days, this crackdown signals one of the most aggressive government efforts yet to end unregulated herding and protect rural farmland from ongoing encroachment.
