Balaalo given up to March 22 to leave Acholi

Government has extended the eviction of Balaalo (pastoralists) living in Acholi sub region to March 22 adding six more days to the earlier set date of March 16.

Making the pronouncement, the minister of Agriculture and fisheries Vincent Ssempijja warned local leaders against taking advantage of the pastoralists' situation saying  the extension is to allow all animals in the sub region to be vaccinated.

Ssempijja said those who arrest the Balaalo forcefully will be arrested.

Similarly, in January, Ssempijja gave the Balaalo 30 days to leave Acholi due to lack of animal vaccines against foot and mouth disease. But they stayed on because the vaccines were not procured in time.

The minister of state for Defence, Okello Engora Macdwongo said the UPDF will be deployed to oversee the exercise.

Benson Ongom