Balaalo are arrogant, unpatriotic – Museveni

President Yoweri Museveni has condemned the disorderly conduct and perceived arrogance of the Balaalo pastoralists in northern, north-western, and eastern Uganda, stating that such behaviour has fueled resentment and hostility from local communities.

Museveni cited several alleged violations of the Balaalo, including grazing livestock on people’s crops, illegal land occupation, and blocking access to public facilities like the Nile River. In a strongly worded statement released Sunday, Museveni outlined a series of actions by the Balaalo that he said are causing tension and resentment among local communities.

Chief among the concerns is “kwonesa”, a local term referring to cattle or livestock grazing on other people’s crops,  a practice he said contradicts patriotism and undermines national unity.

Museveni noted that the destruction of crops stems largely from bringing cattle into areas without proper fencing, such as barbed wire or chain-link barriers. Even those who have fenced, he added, often lack permanent water sources on their farms, prompting them to move animals during the dry season and encroach on local farmlands.

He further accused some Balaalo of blocking community access routes to key public facilities, fencing carelessly, and in some cases, occupying government ranches illegally — actions he said frustrate planned development projects such as cattle breeding.

“The Balaalo have even invaded government ranches,” Museveni said, warning that such moves not only obstruct government plans but provoke locals to demand similar access to the land.

The President questioned whether the pastoralists obtained proper cattle movement permits before entering the affected areas. He urged authorities who issue these permits to verify not only the health of the animals but also the suitability of the destination, checking for issues like water availability, fencing, and the potential for crop destruction.

He also dismissed allegations that his executive orders on this issue are tribalistic, insisting the orders target “illegal and irrational actors,” not law-abiding citizens. Museveni cited the example of Adyeeri, a Munyoro woman farming fruit in Nwoya district, who has been welcomed by the local community for her peaceful and lawful agricultural practices.

In addressing the legal ownership of land, Museveni stressed that even Balaalo who purchased land in the North do not have the right to destroy crops or block access routes.  “Crops do not kwonesa other crops,” he said, contrasting the peaceful conduct of crop farmers with the disruptive practices of some pastoralists.

He added that while local communities also experience conflicts among themselves over grazing, they usually handle these through customary justice, such as tying up stray cattle and fining the owners, a system he said breaks down when some Balaalo arrive backed by armed relatives in the military.

“It is such arrogance and lawlessness that requires the intervention of the President through an executive order,” Museveni stated.

The statement comes amid growing outcry in northern Uganda, where community leaders have repeatedly raised concerns about encroachment, land grabbing, and destruction of livelihoods by itinerant herders.