The chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), Mariam Wangadya, has issued summons against Member of Parliament Gilbert Olanya, representing Kilak South, Amuru District, for the use of divisive and discriminatory language against Balaalo (nomadic pastorals) in the Acholi region.

According to a statement from UHRC dated November 2, 2023,  Olanya made discriminatory references to the Balaalo, contrary to Article 21 of the constitution, which prohibits gender discrimination generally and enshrines the principle of equality before the law, regardless of sex, race, color, ethnicity, tribe, religion, political belief, or social or economic standing.

“You are by this summons required to appear before this commission on November 6, 2023, at 10:00 o’clock to respond to the said allegations,” the statement read in part.

The commission noted that, if they do not act upon the language used by Olanya, it may lead to hateful sentiments and physical violence against the community.

This follows a directive from President Museveni, which extended the date for the Balalo to vacate the Acholi Sub-region from November 3rd to November 15th. However, Olanya defied the order, led a group of five Acholi Members of Parliament, and initiated mobilization efforts aimed at forcefully evicting Balalo herdsmen from the region.

“The MPs have given the Balaalo cattle herdsmen five days to leave or be forcefully evicted from Acholi land,” announced Olanya.

Olanya alleges that Museveni had no goodwill in solving the complaints raised by locals about the existence of the cattle keepers who fraudulently acquired land, so they have to take matters into their own hands.