Kenneth Omona gave cattle herders two weeks to leave northern Uganda. The minister spoke at a Friday meeting with army commanders about removing the Balalo herdsmen. Military leaders Felix Busizoori and David Opeero joined the press conference announcement. Officials said the deadline starts Friday, May 23rd, for all herders without proper papers. Security forces will remove anyone who stays after the time limit expires.
President Museveni ordered this action through Executive Order number three from May 2023. Army soldiers and other security groups will carry out the removal operation together. Local leaders will help officials throughout the region. Military commanders plan to create special areas for holding abandoned animals. Herders must cross the Karuma Bridge to leave the area before time runs out.
Major General Busizoori said the operation happens during daylight hours between 8 and 9 p.m. Officials will auction cattle that herders leave behind after nobody claims them. Ugandan law allows the government to sell unclaimed livestock through legal processes. Similar removal operations started in 2023, when thousands of cattle left the region. Government estimates show 757 herders control more than 100,000 cattle across northern Uganda.
President Museveni ordered this action through Executive Order number three from May 2023. Army soldiers and other security groups will carry out the removal operation together. Local leaders will help officials throughout the region. Military commanders plan to create special areas for holding abandoned animals. Herders must cross the Karuma Bridge to leave the area before time runs out.
Major General Busizoori said the operation happens during daylight hours between 8 and 9 p.m. Officials will auction cattle that herders leave behind after nobody claims them. Ugandan law allows the government to sell unclaimed livestock through legal processes. Similar removal operations started in 2023, when thousands of cattle left the region. Government estimates show 757 herders control more than 100,000 cattle across northern Uganda.
