The Leader of Opposition (LOP), Mathias Mpuuga has demanded for accountability from government in regards to issues of land grabbing, cattle theft by Balalo (Herdsmen), and compensation to the people of Acholi land.
Mpuuga made these remarks while addressing journalist in his office at Parliament on November 6, 2023.
According to Mpuuga, as the opposition, the government has attempted to control the Acholi people, adding that, President Museveni’s directive to those who own land to fence it off is unlawful, illegal, and lacking any legitimate justification.
“First of all, the people actually have complained about their land being grabbed by these so called Balaalo, and we are in line to court orders that this is customary land which cannot be taken by anybody, and therefore, whatever they are doing is irregular and illegal,” Mpuuga noted.
Mpuuga stated that, they are aware that the cattle in Acholi were raided, adding that, residents have never received compensation for their cattle, which is why part of the land is left undeveloped.
He revealed that, the Balaalo used to graze their cattle on Acholi land, graze on people’s crops as part of the plan to scare and make Acholis more desperate.
However, according Santa Okot, the Shadow Minister for special regions, this issue started way back in 2022, when thousands of Balalo went to Northern Uganda and took over land, others bought it while others hired.
“It would be recalled that in 1986 when President Museveni took over government, our animals from Acholi in Northern Uganda were taken by the cattle keepers whom we call the Balaalo,” Okot said.
She said that, about 20 years back, there was war in Northern Uganda between UPDF, Alice Lakwena, Joseph Kony, and NRA that left so many people dead, stating that, the land continued to remain vacant.
She noted that, following repeated complaints about Balalo on environmental destruction, and Karamojongs killing people in the districts of Agago and Kitgum, the President issued executive orders for Balalo who moved to Northern Uganda on May 19 2023 to September 20, 2023 to leave Northern Uganda, but no Mulalo moved.
She said that, during the meeting held with Salim Saleh, he said that, when the President put out the executive orders, he had made a mistake for uttering that executive order, because the Balalo cannot go in a hurry.
Okot also stated that, there was a team that was making the Balalo who bought the land get land titles because they were working very closely with Uganda Land Commission.
She noted that, the Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo said that, customary land according to law cannot be bought. And anyone buying it has to ask the dead, the living, and ask those who are not yet born.
The issue of Balalo encroaching on the land for Acholi people has been a source of conflict in the Northern region, with disputes arising over land ownership and use. The conflicts range from family-based disagreements to border dispute. Communities on both sides of neighboring Gulu and Agago districts in Northern Uganda have been collaborating to address their problems, in spite of the ongoing challenges and changes in the area.
