Kampala
  26/09/07
 
UGANDAN PARLIAMENTARIAN TO PROBE THE LIVES OF PASTORALIST COMMUNITITES

By Leo Odera Omolo

Ugandan parliamentarians are currently investigating the movement of pastoralists’ communities living in the country.

The speaker of Parliament Edward Ssekendi in July directed that a select committee be formed to investigate the matter following a petition by the Balaalo (herdsmen) from Buliisa district and complaints by MPs that they had invaded their constituencies in search of grazing fields for their herds.

Earlier this year, there were armed clashes between the local communities and pastoralists in Buliisa, Teso, Kasese and Lango sub regions in the north over grazing areas.

The land disputes in Buliisa recently became violent as the resident of Bagungu attacked the homesteads of Balaalo, leaving houses torched, civilians wounded and several herds of cattle hacked to death.

The Buganda government had also resisted the resettlement of the pastoralists in Kiboga district. In a petition, the herdsmen complained of harassment by the Bagungu.

They argued that they had bought the land from the Bagungu on the other hand, insisted that the Balaalo were grazing in their gardens and that the invaders had never bought any land from them.

An earlier proposed government committee headed by the state Minister of general duties Hon. Adolt Mwesigye was disbanded after the speaker of the house last week ruled out that parliament would only adopt the recommendations of the committee chaired by Patrick Ochieng (Bukedi south MP) disputised by Sam, Njuba (Kyadando East) has six weeks to investigate the matter and come with a comprehensive report.

The committee last week drew up a programme on the issue.

Ends.

leooderaomolo@yahoo.com