President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has issued a stern warning to Balaalo pastoralists operating in Northern, North-Western, and Eastern Uganda to stop allowing their livestock destroy local communities’ crops.
In a detailed statement shared on Sunday, June 6, 2025, President Museveni addressed growing public concern over the conduct of some Balaalo herders, who have been accused of grazing animals on other people’s land without proper fencing, water sources, or regard for local livelihoods.
“Whether you legally bought or rented the land, you have no right to kwonesa (allow livestock to destroy people’s crops), nor do you have the right to block public access routes,” the President stated.
Museveni listed several key issues that have led to tension between the Balaalo and local communities such as; Kwonesa (crop destruction), encroachment on government ranches, blocking public access routes and failure to follow local dispute resolution mechanisms.
According to him, the movement of cattle must be regulated through proper permits that ensure there are no problems at either the point of origin or destination such as disease risks, space constraints, or lack of infrastructure.
Responding to accusations of tribal bias, Museveni clarified that his recent Executive Orders are not aimed at targeting any ethnic group but rather at curbing lawlessness and protecting public order.
“These Executive Orders are not about tribal chauvinism. They are about dealing with illegal and irrational actors,” he said.
Museveni justified the need for government intervention to resolve such conflicts besides the traditional systems such as tying up the offending animal and issuing fines.
“These community-based methods often fail when some Balaalo are backed by armed relatives, undermining justice and escalating tensions,” he stated.
“That is why they need the Executive Order of the President of Uganda,” he added.
He stressed the importance of structured farming practices, adherence to the law, and mutual respect among Ugandans regardless of region or tribe.
“Crops do not eat other crops. The complaints are not about legal actors but about the reckless, unregulated actions of a few,” the President said.
He called for enforcement of cattle movement regulations, preserve community harmony to ensure that economic opportunity does not come at the cost of public order.
