• Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Donate
  • Login
Watchdog Uganda
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Politics
    • World News
    • Media Outreach Newswire
    • Africa News
    • Tourism
    • Community News
    • Luganda
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Motorsport
  • Op-Ed
    • #Out2Lunch
    • Conversations with
    • Politics
    • Relationships
  • Business
    • Agriculture
    • CEOs & Entrepreneurs,
    • Companies
    • Finance
    • Products
    • RealEstate
    • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • People
    • Showbiz
      • Salon Mag
  • Special Report
    • Education
    • Voices
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Places
  • WD-TV
  • Donate
  • China News
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Politics
    • World News
    • Media Outreach Newswire
    • Africa News
    • Tourism
    • Community News
    • Luganda
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Motorsport
  • Op-Ed
    • #Out2Lunch
    • Conversations with
    • Politics
    • Relationships
  • Business
    • Agriculture
    • CEOs & Entrepreneurs,
    • Companies
    • Finance
    • Products
    • RealEstate
    • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • People
    • Showbiz
      • Salon Mag
  • Special Report
    • Education
    • Voices
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Places
  • WD-TV
  • Donate
  • China News
No Result
View All Result
Watchdog Uganda
No Result
View All Result

AKANSASIRA JUNIOR VICTOR: GEN. MUSEVENI’S GUIDANCE ON THE BALAALO ISSUE IS A GENERATIONAL CALL TO DISCIPLINE, PATRIOTISM, AND ORDER

Kizito Moses Buule by Kizito Moses Buule
9 hours ago
in Op-Ed
2 0
ShareTweetSendShare

“When our fighters looted from the people, I immediately took action. We could not afford to lose the trust of the very wananchi we were fighting for. Leadership means taking hard decisions to preserve justice and unity.” Sowing the Mustard Seed, Chapter 8: Managing Victory, 1986–1988

Fellow compatriots, especially fellow Bazzukulu, it is imperative to slowly re-emphasize the message of H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on the Balaalo crisis—an issue that goes beyond mere grazing rights to touch the very soul of our national discipline, patriotism, and unity. In his recent article on his official X (formerly Twitter) platform, the “Ssaabalwanyi” boldly confronted a matter that many have feared to address for years: the impunity, indiscipline, and arrogance of certain groups—particularly the wealthy pastoralists from the cattle corridor—who have abused their economic advantage to trample on the rights and livelihoods of vulnerable communities, especially in the North, North-West, and East of Uganda.

The President’s directive to evict the disorderly Balaalo is not an attack on any tribe or community, as some may falsely suggest, but a timely intervention to restore sanity, peace, and lawful conduct among Ugandans. The issue of kwonesa (livestock grazing on other people’s crops), illegal fencing of communal access routes, and unauthorized occupation of government ranches undermines the patriotic principles upon which the National Resistance Army (NRA) and later the National Resistance Movement (NRM) were founded. As clearly stated in Museveni’s Ten-Point Programme—particularly points 4 (Eliminating sectarianism), 6 (Consolidating national unity), and 8 (Building an independent, integrated and self-sustaining national economy)—no group, regardless of wealth or origin, should disrupt the livelihoods of others or defy national laws under the pretense of freedom of movement or economic contribution.

President Museveni’s firm hand in disciplining some of the errant Balaalo stems not from impulse, but from a deep-rooted ideological foundation, as laid out in his books such as “Sowing the Mustard Seed” and “What is Africa’s Problem?” In these, he warns against allowing “a class of arrogant, unaccountable elites” to grow within a society, especially those who believe wealth or military connections exempt them from lawful conduct. His Executive Order on this matter is a necessary reinforcement of institutional authority, ensuring no Ugandan is above the law.

DEAR READERS , also In the mind tickling book “What is Africa’s Problem?”, he identifies poor leadership and selfish elites as the core challenges to African transformation. The “Balaalo” situation is a textbook manifestation of this: some wealthy individuals have used their resources and military connections to intimidate locals, encroach on communal lands, and ignore justice mechanisms such as the traditional “kutsibika” (tying and fining offending livestock).

This has not happened today but it has been an outage for long…..Multiple sources, including the Daily Monitor (Feb 2024), The Observer (March 2023), and the New Vision (July 2022), have all published reports on the rising tensions caused by pastoralists who fail to follow community grazing norms. These sources cite frequent crop destruction, water source conflicts, and acts of impunity by herders, often linked to military escorts. The President’s intervention is, therefore, not only justified but long overdue and supported by the lived realities of affected Ugandans.

ALLOW ME ADD ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON H.E. MUSEVENI’S SUSTAINABLE GUIDANCE;

Why can’t we Institutionalize Land Verification and Land Use Compliance Before Cattle Movement?

The government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and the Ministry of Lands, needs to strengthen enforcement mechanisms to verify land ownership and preparedness before granting cattle movement permits. No permit should be issued unless the destination land is legally acquired, fenced properly, and has sustainable water sources. This aligns with sustainable development principles and the NRM’s emphasis on organized agriculture rather than disorderly expansion. The President rightly pointed out the irresponsibility of permit-issuing officers who fail to assess the impact of relocation, resulting in kwonesa and conflict. Institutional discipline must be restored to protect both herders and host communities.

There is need for Establish Regional Livestock Holding Zones and Breeding Centers rather than encouraging pastoralists to roam into unprepared regions, the government should invest in livestock holding zones and breeding centers at regional levels. These centers would provide temporary shelter, water, veterinary services, and training in sustainable livestock management. This builds on the NRM’s objective to modernize agriculture and reduce nomadism. It also protects government ranches from invasion while providing a buffer mechanism to regulate livestock movements across districts. Such centers would act as checkpoints where cattle can be registered, vaccinated, and owners sensitized before full integration into local communities.

Strengthen Community Justice and Local Governance Mechanisms. The traditional justice mechanisms like kutsibika and local fines should be protected and legally recognized to empower host communities to hold all offenders accountable—regardless of wealth or social status. These systems promote conflict resolution, cultural respect, and peaceful coexistence. However, as the President noted, some arrogant individuals armed with relatives in uniform have undermined these mechanisms. The Uganda Human Rights Commission, local governments, and the judiciary must work with cultural institutions to reinforce these community systems and protect them from intimidation. When all Ugandans are subject to the same justice standards, national unity is strengthened.

Conduct a Nationwide Discipline and Patriotism Campaign for All Social Classes.H.E. Museveni’s message should form the foundation of a nationwide civic campaign targeting all Ugandans—rich or poor, rural or urban—on the values of discipline, patriotism, and order. This campaign should be led by the Office of the President in collaboration with the National Leadership Institute (NALI), schools, and civil society organizations. Lessons from the NRA war should be incorporated to teach young Ugandans the cost of impunity and the value of lawful conduct. The aim should be to dismantle the growing culture of arrogance among elites who disregard national values for personal gain. As the President often says, “Development without discipline is disaster.”

In a nutshell, President Museveni’s Executive Order on the Balaalo is not just a localized pastoralist issue—it is a broader call to return to national values of discipline, equality, and justice. As Ugandans, we must understand that true unity and freedom come with responsibility. The Balaalo crisis is a symptom of deeper social challenges: abuse of privilege, weakening of institutions, and disregard for the rule of law. The President has once again stepped forward as the Ssaabalwanyi, the chief defender of Ugandan unity and order. It is upon all of us—especially the youth—to carry forward this torch by rejecting impunity, embracing national discipline, and building a truly united and organized Uganda.

Writer and Researcher
vj.akansasira@gmail.com
0702969211


Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at editorial@watchdoguganda.com
ShareTweetSendShare

Related Posts

Dr. Ayub Mukisa (Ph.D.)
Conversations with

Dr. Ayub Mukisa: Does Karamoja need “wealth creation” or “value addition” on the already available wealth?

10th July 2025 at 10:07
Joshua Kato
Business

JOSHUA KATO: Tax Amnesty re-introduced – A timely opportunity for businesses

10th July 2025 at 09:47
Fr Arasu Lazar
Education

Arasu Lazar: Fighting Corruption with Authentic Christian Faith

10th July 2025 at 00:24
Next Post

New order growth spurs continued improvement in Ugandan business conditions in June

  • Prostitution in Uganda- Courtesy Photo

    10 dangerous hotspots known for prostitutes in Kampala

    1124 shares
    Share 450 Tweet 281
  • Silent Billionaire Bosco Muwonge Buys Mukwano Arcade at UGX 250 Billion Cash Down

    49 shares
    Share 20 Tweet 12
  • Who is Bosco Muwonge, Uganda’s elusive real estate billionaire?

    36 shares
    Share 14 Tweet 9
  • LIST: New salary structure for civil servants starting July 2020 out; scientists, lecturers get juicy pay rise

    2288 shares
    Share 915 Tweet 572
  • Uganda’s Billionaires 2025: Once Again Sudhir Ruparelia Leads a Resilient Pack

    48 shares
    Share 19 Tweet 12
Facebook Twitter

Contact Information

Watchdog Uganda is a portal for solution journalism, trending news plus cutting edge commentaries in the fields of politics, security, business, tourism, entertainment, technology, agriculture, climate change, environment, public health et al. We also give preference to Ugandan community news and topical discussions. The portal also publishes community news and topical discussions.

Email: editorial@watchdoguganda.com
To Advertise:Click here

Latest News

Truth Revealed: Jinja City Council Clarifies On Shs4.2 Billion Return To Treasury 

10th July 2025 at 19:35
Mashable is a global, multi-platform media and entertainment company For more queries and news contact us on this Email: info@mashablepartners.com

Check out

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Minister Muruli Mukasa

LIST: New salary structure for civil servants starting July 2020 out; scientists, lecturers get juicy pay rise

24th May 2020 at 10:45
Pregnant woman

Shock as 17-year old boy impregnates his two sisters during Covid-19 lockdown 

17th June 2020 at 08:17
Sudhir Ruparelia is the undisputed king of Kampala

Billionaire Sudhir’s wisdom on how to invest in real estate

0

How a boy’s destiny turned from cotton grower to communications guru

0

Truth Revealed: Jinja City Council Clarifies On Shs4.2 Billion Return To Treasury 

10th July 2025 at 19:35
NUP leaders

NUP’s Pragmatic Pivot: Sending a Bipartisan Treasurer to IPOD

10th July 2025 at 19:29

© 2025 Watchdog Uganda

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Politics
    • World News
    • Media Outreach Newswire
    • Africa News
    • Tourism
    • Community News
    • Luganda
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Motorsport
  • Op-Ed
    • #Out2Lunch
    • Conversations with
    • Politics
    • Relationships
  • Business
    • Agriculture
    • CEOs & Entrepreneurs,
    • Companies
    • Finance
    • Products
    • RealEstate
    • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • People
    • Showbiz
      • Salon Mag
  • Special Report
    • Education
    • Voices
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Places
  • WD-TV
  • Donate
  • China News

© 2025 Watchdog Uganda