Magwi County mulls plan to evacuate of over 7,000 cattle
The meeting between the Commissioner of Magwi County and the Nimule Municipality Mayor focused on a joint approach to address the return of close to 10,000 cattle from Uganda.
By James Chatim
The Commissioner of Magwi County and the Mayor of Nimule Municipality in Eastern Equatoria State on Monday proposed a plan to remove over 7000 cattle recently expelled by Ugandan authorities.
The meeting between the Commissioner of Magwi County, Pole Pole Benjamin Olum and Nimule Municipality Mayor Caesar Longa Fuli focused on a joint approach to address the return of close to 10,000 cattle from Uganda.
The meeting comes following President Yoweri Museveni’s Executive Order No. 2 of 2025, which bans unregulated cattle movement and free-range grazing in northern Uganda. The directive forced South Sudanese herders to return home.
During the meeting, Mayor Longa said the return of herds of cattle, whose number ranges from 7,000 to 10,000, is the main source of insecurity.
He said the evacuation of the livestock has begun with some herders complying with the order to move towards Central Equatoria State escorted by soldiers in vehicles.
Longa added that the relocation is based on a directive from the governor of Eastern Equatoria State, Louis Lobong Lojore, which mandates that the cattle be moved and temporarily stationed in Achawa.
The mayor also expressed concern over some cattle herders’ resistance to the directives.
According to him, some have retreated to their cattle camps and are prepared to confront soldiers who are sent to enforce the order.
Nimule Municipality Mayor Longa revealed the resistance occurred first when a group of cattle was being escorted by the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) to Nimule Municipality in Eastern Equatoria State.
On his part, Magwi County Commissioner Pole-pole Benjamin Olum hinted at the challenge associated with the temporary relocation of the cattle from Uganda.
On August 21, 2025, Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) expelled South Sudanese cattle from Adjumani District in line with an order from President Museveni that all cattle owned by foreign herders be removed and individuals without Ugandan national identification or passport be deported.
