Arua Resident State Attorney, Lino Anguzu, says a district council resolution to evict herdsmen from the district is unrealistic.
The Arua district council yesterday resolved that the migrant herdsmen settled in the areas of Arivu, Offaka, Madi-Okollo, Ogoko, Rigbo and Rhino Camp sub-counties, must leave after the deadline expired yesterday.
Delivering his legal opinion over the matter, Anguzu said there is no lawful basis upon which the council made its resolution. He said the council was acting illegally because the herdsmen are not grazing their animals in wetlands, forest reserves or encroaching on the communal land.
The State Attorney advised that rather than evict the herdsmen, the council should pass a by-law which would instead regulate the activities of the herdsmen in the district.
The councillors are not happy about Anguzu's statements and have accused him of siding with the herdsmen.
The District Vice Chairperson, Kamilo Sabo, said the council would implement part of the August 17th resolution, which restricts the sale of land to the herdsmen. The council also resolved to revisit the by-laws on grazing of cattle in wetlands and forest reserves and renting out land to the herdsmen.
