Kapelebyong district has laid guidelines geared towards streamlining the operation of Balalo herdsmen in the communities.
The guidelines were generated in a meeting of top district officials and Balalo herdsmen convened at the district headquarters last week on September 19, 2024. The heated-up engagement followed the increased public outcry of destruction of peoples’ crops by the cattle of the Balalo herdsmen.
The rules banned local leaders from witnessing renting out of land to the Balalo herdsmen and restrained Gombolola Intelligence Security Officer (GISO) from allowing entry of any new cattle of the Balalo herdsmen to their sub counties.
Additionally, the guidelines demand all persons interested in hiring the Balalo herdsmen to look after their cattle to seek for approval from the district security committee. In a stunning encounter against illegal money lending, the meeting also resolved to suspend Balalo businessmen from the lending venture due to lack of security approval to operate.
To ease coordination and enforcement of these rules, a nine-member committee comprising of Fred Nunu as chairperson and deputised by Joseph Esabu, was established.
The Kapelebyong resident district commissioner, Tom Olinga Otukol, stressed need for adherence to the set guidelines for peaceful co-existence to be realised.
“Any GISO who contravenes these guidelines will lose their job.”
While urging the Balalo herdsmen to declare the number of cattle which they have, Otukol called for respect to the rule of law.
“The constitution allows any Uganda to reside in any part of the country but you shouldn’t abuse that privilege. You shouldn’t be arrogant even when your cattle infringing to the peace of others,” Olinga said.
Francis Akorikin, the Kapelebyong District Chairperson, warned to withdraw stamps from any Local Council one leader who witnesses the sale of land to the Balalo herdsmen.
SP Diana Namutunzi, the District Police Commander of Kapelebyong echoed that its an offence to allow animals to loiter.
“You can be charged for negligence,” Namutunzi warned.

By Emmanuel Opio
Communication Officer
Kapelebyong District