More than 300 cattle herders filed a lawsuit against Uganda's government on Tuesday. The pastoralists want courts to stop forced removals from northern regions. They challenged a presidential order from 2023 that demands their departure from the area. The herders say officials violated their basic rights under the constitution.
Military commander Felix Busizoori and police chief Ocaya Phillip set a June 25 deadline for evacuation. Kenneth Omona, the northern Uganda minister, gave the herders just 14 days to leave. The pastoralists argue that government officials never held proper hearings before making these demands. They claim authorities failed to check their legal status as land settlers.
Many herders possess official certificates and built expensive facilities on their land. They constructed fences, water systems and dip tanks for their animals. The pastoralists say they pay local taxes and help the regional economy through livestock sales. Court papers show that over 400,000 cattle face removal from the disputed areas.
The herders believe the order targets them unfairly because of their ethnicity. Other cattle-keeping groups continue operations without facing similar eviction threats. The pastoralists want judges to block the removal process until courts can review the presidential directive. They argue the eviction violates laws about property ownership and freedom of movement.
The lawsuit names the Attorney General as the main defendant. Courts have not scheduled hearings for the case. Government lawyers have not responded to the legal challenge from the cattle herders.
Military commander Felix Busizoori and police chief Ocaya Phillip set a June 25 deadline for evacuation. Kenneth Omona, the northern Uganda minister, gave the herders just 14 days to leave. The pastoralists argue that government officials never held proper hearings before making these demands. They claim authorities failed to check their legal status as land settlers.
Many herders possess official certificates and built expensive facilities on their land. They constructed fences, water systems and dip tanks for their animals. The pastoralists say they pay local taxes and help the regional economy through livestock sales. Court papers show that over 400,000 cattle face removal from the disputed areas.
The herders believe the order targets them unfairly because of their ethnicity. Other cattle-keeping groups continue operations without facing similar eviction threats. The pastoralists want judges to block the removal process until courts can review the presidential directive. They argue the eviction violates laws about property ownership and freedom of movement.
The lawsuit names the Attorney General as the main defendant. Courts have not scheduled hearings for the case. Government lawyers have not responded to the legal challenge from the cattle herders.
