By Alan Clement
Authorities in Kajo-keji county, Central Equatoria have accused the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) of launching an unprovoked attack on civilians in a remote village in the County.
According to the Commissioner of Kajo-keji County, Wani Jackson Mule, the incident occurred around 10 a.m. while he was attending a security meeting.
“I received a phone call from a village near Gor’beleng and Meruwa informing us that there was an attack by UPDF. The UPDF entered and started shooting,” he said.
The Commissioner said the area had already seen mass displacement following the deadly fighting in Nyainga-Muda on July 28 confirming that many of internally displaced persons (IDPs) had already fled to nearby Logo Payam for safety.
“So maybe if they [UPDF] get people there, it is those who had gone back to pick food items for their families,” he explained.
The Commissioner noted that the UPDF maintains a strong military presence near Gor’beleng and suggested the attack may have been intended to intimidate local civilians.
Gor’beleng lies within South Sudanese territory according to the commissioner.
He also lamented the lack of humanitarian aid stressing that the IDPs are surviving on their own.
“There has been no relief that has arrived in the area. These people are surviving on their own,” Wani said, calling for urgent humanitarian support.
On diplomatic efforts, Wani lamented the stalled dialogue between Kampala and Juba.
“The dialogue is in Juba; it has not descended down. We have been requesting they form committees so that the county and districts are involved but it is still at their level.” he said
The commissioner confirmed that UPDF forces remain in the areas they gained during the fighting in Nyainga-Muda on July 28.
Recently the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen Sam Okiding, held high-level talks with the Chief of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), Gen Dau Aturjong, in Juba, as part of ongoing efforts to reinforce bilateral military cooperation between Uganda and South Sudan.
The visit followed the UPDF plan to raid part of South Sudan resulted to clashes with South Sudan.
This development comes amidst growing regional concerns over security dynamics along the Uganda–South Sudan border.