Rwot Acana, who has been touring various chiefdoms in Acholi since March 2025, said animals in communal kraals are suffering due to overcrowding, hunger, disease, and lack of shelter, as herders fear taking them to traditional grazing areas due to frequent raids.
The Paramount Chief of Acholi, Rwot David Onen Acana II, has expressed grave concern over the deteriorating health and welfare of cattle kept in communal kraals across Agago District, attributing the situation to the persistent insecurity caused by Karamojong cattle rustlers.
Rwot Acana, who has been touring various chiefdoms in Acholi since March 2025, said animals in communal kraals are suffering due to overcrowding, hunger, disease, and lack of shelter, as herders fear taking them to traditional grazing areas due to frequent raids.
//Cue in: “Ma kombedi too…”
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Translation:
"The number of cattle dying due to disease is now higher than those lost in raids. Because they are kept communally, cattle owners cannot properly treat them. In some kraals, the buildup of dung, soil, and water reaches the animals’ knees, increasing the risk of another disease outbreak."
Rwot Acana urged the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to intervene by vaccinating livestock in Agago to prevent the spread of disease. He described the situation as a “reverse displacement,” where people have returned home after years in IDP camps, but now cattle are being confined for protection.
Agago and parts of Kitgum have witnessed a resurgence of armed cattle raids by Karamojong warriors, pushing communities to herd animals into communal kraals as a security measure. Although the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and police have stepped up patrols, residents report that nighttime raids remain a threat.
This has forced communities to abandon distant grazing areas, leading to overstocking and inadequate feeding, which in turn causes overgrazing, hunger, and the spread of disease within kraals. In 2023, Agago District reported the death of 370 cattle due to Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia within just five months. In 2024, Heartwater disease affected 14,261 animals, killing 63, according to district veterinary reports.
Rwot Acana also appealed to clan chiefs in areas unaffected by raids to educate their communities on proper livestock management, warning that letting cattle roam without supervision leads to community conflicts, environmental degradation, and the erosion of traditional values.
//Cue in: “Ci dong bene…”
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Translation:
"We once kept people in camps; now, we keep cattle in camps. Leaving them to roam freely is like scattering millions of shillings on the roadside."
Japheth Ogik, an elder from Layibi, echoed the Paramount Chief’s concerns, noting that while cattle were once a blessing, they have now become a source of conflict due to negligence and commercialization. “People now let their animals roam, and many community members are losing crops during planting and harvesting seasons,” Ogik said.
He emphasized the cultural value of livestock, saying cattle were once central to marriage dowries, rituals, and ceremonies. “Our forefathers tethered and herded animals. Cattle moved with people, not ahead of them,” he added, calling for modern livestock practices like paddocking, rotational grazing, and routine veterinary care.
In Omoro District, Sabino Ongaya, an elder from Koro Pida, highlighted the cultural significance of cattle in Acholi society. “Cattle rearing was a mark of responsibility, pride, and identity. Boys learned to identify cattle by their features and character, reflecting their own maturity and social standing,” Ongaya said.
He recalled a time when grazing and watering were regulated and unsupervised herding was considered disrespectful and irresponsible. Beyond the rural setting, urban leaders in Acholi have raised concerns about livestock wandering into towns and municipalities, disrupting traffic and causing accidents.
As cattle continue to be both a symbol of wealth and a source of tension, Acholi leaders say reclaiming cultural practices, enhancing security, and promoting sustainable livestock management are essential to restore dignity and economic value to cattle keeping in the region.
