A new rift has emerged within top leadership over the controversial eviction of the Balaalo pastoralists from Northern Uganda, pitting Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba against Minister of State for Northern Uganda Dr. Kenneth Omona Olusegun
Appearing on UBC Television last night, Omona doubled down on the two-week ultimatum he issued to Balaalo communities, reiterating that all pastoralists must vacate Northern Uganda immediately in accordance with President Museveni’s Executive Order No. 3.
His tone, however, drew sharp rebuke from the powerful army chief.
Taking to his verified X account on Thursday morning, Gen. Muhoozi lashed out at Omona, referring to him as an “idiot” and warning that Balaalo should not be “frustrated and confused” by his statements.
Muhoozi, who also serves as Chairman of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), emphasized that Baraaro (Balaalo) would leave within two months, not two weeks as Omona demanded.
“Don’t be frustrated and confused by IDIOTS like Omona!” Muhoozi posted, in response to a query by MP Daudi Kabanda, who had questioned the growing anti-Balaalo rhetoric.
In a follow-up post, Gen. Muhoozi further stated that only the UPDF 2nd and 4th Division Commanders, Maj. Generals Felix Busizoori and Keith Katungi, have the authority to issue directives to the Balaalo in Northern Uganda.
“No body else should even dare to utter a word!” he warned, in what observers are calling a veiled but direct rebuke of Omona’s hardline public stance.
This public fallout reveals deepening contradictions within government circles over how to implement the Presidential eviction directive. While Museveni has condemned the uncontrolled movement of cattle for destroying food crops in the region, he had previously set a two-month grace period, emphasizing coordination and humane implementation.
Omona’s insistence on a two-week ultimatum, backed by media appearances and consultative meetings, appears to have overstepped what Gen. Muhoozi views as a carefully calibrated timeline.