The ongoing land struggle of Balaalo (pastoralists) has taken a new turn, this time in the fertile pastures of a forest reserve in Bajjo, Galilaaya subcounty in Kayunga district.

At the heart of the conflict lies the Balaalo’s recent displacement from northern Uganda.

Facing eviction, they sought refuge in Buganda, raising anxieties among local communities about competition for land and resources.

The Balaalo claim that they’ve grazed their cattle in the reserve for over 30 years, paying grazing licenses to the National Forestry Authority (NFA). However, their presence sparked controversy, with the NFA moving to evict them which further fueled the dispute.

However, the Butambala County Member of Parliament (MP), Muwanga Kivumbi, who is also the Head of the Buganda Parliamentary Caucus, openly voiced objections to the Balaalo’s presence, urging them to abandon their nomadic lifestyle.

“Those who live as nomads need to understand that this is a primitive behaviour that has its place in the past and that their cattle don’t own all the grass on this land. They will walk up to Alaska in search of green pasture, so we ask them to return home,” Muwanga said.

This latest development has reignited tensions between the Balaalo and some Baganda leaders, with Members of Parliament from the Buganda region embarking on a regional tour to address concerns over possible land acquisition.

This initiative aims to engage communities, understand their concerns, and hopefully find common ground with the Balaalo.

Exploring the reasons behind their eviction from the north and examining potential government support for their resettlement are crucial aspects of finding a sustainable solution.

The Balaalo’s land struggle highlights the complex challenges of land ownership, resource allocation, and cultural clashes in Uganda.