Buliisa residents call for President Museveni’s intervention in Balaalo invasion
The legislator noted that residents are frustrated because the district cannot accommodate the herdsmen’s large cattle populations, given the already strained land resources.
Buliisa: Residents of Buliisa District have appealed to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to intervene in what they describe as an invasion by Balaalo herdsmen.
The appeal was delivered through Buliisa County Member of Parliament Allan Atugonza during President Museveni’s NRM campaign rally at Buliisa Grounds on Thursday.
Atugonza, while presenting a memorandum to the President, explained that Buliisa is already struggling with limited land after allocating large portions to the marine barracks, oil and gas activities, and prison facilities.
He said the district has now come under pressure following the influx of Balaalo herdsmen who were earlier evicted from northern Uganda.
The legislator noted that residents are frustrated because the district cannot accommodate the herdsmen’s large cattle populations, given the already strained land resources.
Atugonza also called for the President’s intervention in the escalating human–wildlife conflicts, especially involving elephants that have destroyed crops and claimed lives in the district. He said the compensation process for affected families is difficult and slow, which in turn hampers government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga.
Additionally, he appealed for support toward residents displaced by recent floods, many of whom lost homes, farmland, and property.
Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among acknowledged the crisis of elephants destroying gardens and killing residents. She noted that the government has already released funds for constructing a fence around the park, a project that is underway.
She also emphasized the need for the government to resettle Buliisa’s flood victims just as it supports disaster victims elsewhere in the country.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja informed the President that her office had already relocated and reconstructed Butiaba Health Centre III after the facility was submerged by floods.
In his response, President Museveni assured residents that he would direct the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to collaborate with Brig. Gen. Dan Kakono of the UPDF Artillery Division to evict Balaalo from Buliisa. He criticized the herdsmen for selling their land and later causing disturbances in districts like Buliisa.
Later in the day, President Museveni proceeded to hold his second rally in Hoima City at Hoima Booma Grounds.
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