UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | In a bid to foster peace and understanding, the government recently organised meetings between original landowners and ‘Balalo’ herdsmen in the region chaired by Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny, the Minister for Northern Uganda under the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) .
These meetings, held at Anaka Town Council in Nwoya District on Thursday, October 26, 2023, and at Amuru Multi-purpose Hall in Amuru Town Council on Friday, October 27, 2023, aimed to address tensions between original landowners and ‘Balalo’ herdsmen in the region.
Kwiyucwiny made a heartfelt appeal to the original landowners and Balalo herdsmen from Nwoya and Amuru districts, emphasizing the need for peaceful coexistence and regional development.
Controversies surrounding land ownership have led to disputes and disagreements between these two groups. However, the Minister believes that there is a path to harmony and development that both parties can follow.
During these meetings, Minister Kwiyucwiny shed light on the contents of the Presidential Executive Order Three (03), issued in May of the same year.
She explained that this order provides clear guidelines for both parties on the conditions required to acquire land and the necessities for cattle rearing on those lands.
In essence, the executive order serves as a roadmap to avoid unnecessary tensions and conflicts.
Kwiyucwiny outlined three crucial practices to guide peaceful living in the region:
Strengthening Cultural Institutions
Visitors, in this case, the Balalo herdsmen, should respect the cultural way of life of the host community, and vice versa. This mutual respect can help bridge cultural differences and promote harmony.
Honesty
Honest dealings are essential. Cases of animals trespassing on land should be handled with fairness and compensation that reflects the damage caused. Proper pricing for compensation is key to resolving such disputes amicably.
Observing the Law
Both cattle keepers and landowners must refrain from incitement of violence and instead opt for peaceful conflict resolution. Adhering to the law ensures that the rights of all parties involved are protected.
Stephen Bujingo, the Vice Chairperson of the Cattle Keepers Association (CKA) in Northern Uganda, stated that most cattle herders have followed the legal process to acquire land and possess all the necessary documents to prove their legal ownership.
Bujingo, also the Chairperson of CKA in Atiak Sub-County, Nwoya district, highlighted that he has 200 herds of cattle sheltered on his legally acquired land, complete with all required conditions, including fencing, water access, and pasture lands.
Denis Atube, a landlord residing in Lungulu Sub-County, Nwoya District, explained that they generally coexist well with the herdsmen, except for a few individuals who occasionally engage in controversies for personal gains.
While many tensions are resolved amicably at the grassroots level, some incidents go unreported, leading to unnecessary confrontations.
Judith Peace Atim, the Nwoya District Woman Member of Parliament (MP), acknowledged that pre-existing land disputes have compounded the challenges posed by the presence of the Balalo herdsmen.
Atim advised that locals who donated or purchased land should revisit their land demarcations to initiate a fresh boundary review of contested areas.
She emphasised the importance of non-binding agreements, urging those with such agreements to engage with district authorities to ensure that these agreements are revoked, protecting the interests of both land buyers and sellers.
In May of this year, President Museveni issued Executive Order Number 3, aimed at halting the illegal occupation and ownership of land by Balalo herdsmen in the Acholi region of northern Uganda.
The order primarily sought to curb illegal settlements and reduce commercial charcoal production, which posed environmental threats.
The implementation deadline for the order, initially set for July 30, was extended to October 20 and then to November 3 2023, allowing the President to gather adequate information about the illegal landowners and make informed decisions.
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