By: Biiso fm Reporter
Authorities in Buliisa District have intensified efforts to implement President Museveni’s directive to evict balalo cattle keepers accused of illegal land occupation.
The renewed push followed a high-level meeting held today at the district headquarters, chaired by Major General Daniel Kakono. The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including the Resident District Commissioner Longino Bahebwa Byagagire, Buliisa area Member of Parliament Hon. Allan Atugonza, the District Local Council Chairperson Mr. Fred Lukumu, his deputy Vincent Mukonyezi Mukonyezi , and the district speaker Hon. Fred Baligambaki among others.
The meeting focused on mapping out strategies to enforce the presidential directive issued during President Museveni’s visit to Buliisa on December 11. During that visit, the President tasked Major General Kakono with addressing concerns raised by MP Atugonza, particularly conflicts involving the Fisheries Protection Unit and local fishermen, as well as the increasing encroachment on community land by balalo cattle keepers.
The balalo were previously evicted from Buliisa in 2010 under an operation led by General Tunyefunza. However, the district has this year experienced a renewed influx of cattle keepers following their eviction from parts of northern Uganda, with many settling in Buliisa.
Addressing the meeting, Major General Kakono ordered all individuals who acquired land illegally to vacate immediately, warning that stricter enforcement operations will be carried out in the coming weeks. He cautioned Local Council One chairpersons against endorsing land transactions, noting that only the District Land Board has the legal mandate to authorize land ownership and transfers. He further directed that no additional cattle should be brought into Buliisa District.
MP Allan Atugonza accused some indigenous individuals of colluding with senior army officers to grab land, citing the Waiga–Waisoke corridor where extensive tree clearing has allegedly been carried out to create grazing land. He warned that the practice has severely degraded the ecosystem, contributing to the drying up of the Waiga River.
Meanwhile, local landowner Mr. Naphtali Bigirenkya said he and seven others legally acquired land through the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom Land Board. However, he claimed that despite holding legitimate ownership documents, their land has been encroached upon by a high-ranking army officer.
Authorities say enforcement of the eviction exercise will continue as government seeks to restore order, protect community land rights, and safeguard the district’s fragile environment.
