By Lodu William Odiya
Students at the University of Juba on Wednesday held a protest at the campus, accusing the Ugandan army of crossing into South Sudan and killing five government soldiers in Kajo-Keji County.
In a statement obtained by this outlet, student chairperson for the School of Education, Alaboch Mayuek, noted the demonstration was a call for the government to defend South Sudan’s borders and protect its citizens.
“We are here because our country’s sovereignty is at risk,” Mayuek said. “We lost five soldiers. That cannot be ignored.”
The statement underscored the students stood holding handwritten signs that read “No to foreign aggression!” and “UPDF must stop their operations in Kajo-Keji, South Sudan.”
It also highlighted that other placards urged the international community to step in, saying, “Our government must protect the sovereignty. International community must intervene.”
The protest comes days after fighting was reported at the border, with both Uganda and South Sudan offering different versions of what happened. While both sides have since called for calm, the students say they want answers—and action.
The incident, which occurred on Monday and marked the second deadly incursion by Ugandan forces into South Sudanese territory in recent years, comes as South Sudan commemorates Martyrs Day, a day to remember and honor the sacrifices made by those who fought for the nation’s independence.