By Alan Clement
Governor of Eastern Equatoria state Louis Lobong Lojore has call for the complete removal of cattle in Magwi county.
Speaking on Sunday August 17th, 2025 during an ordination ceremony at Our Lady of Assumption Parish in Loa, Governor Lobong expressed deep concern over the re-entry of cattle into Magwi County from Uganda.
He said the return of the livestock will cause widespread destruction of farmland, undermining the livelihoods of residents who depend on agriculture.
The Governor emphasized that the community’s concerns should not be misinterpreted as targeting any ethnic group, but rather as a defense of land and agricultural stability.
“The issue is not about chasing anyone away it is about removing cattle from a community that does not traditionally keep them,” he stressed. “Our people’s concerns must not be misinterpreted,” he said.
Lobong underscored that resolving the cattle issue is essential to restoring harmony and safeguarding the county’s agricultural economy stating that agriculture is the backbone of Magwi County the county cannot allow it to be compromised by unchecked cattle movements.
The Governor also appealed to the members of the Madi community currently residing across the border to return to their ancestral homes in Magwi arguing that their presence would help deter illegal occupation of vacant land and properties.
The Governor’s remarks come amid ongoing debates over land use, displacement, and intercommunal relations in Eastern Equatoria. As the tensions simmer, Lobong’s appeal adds urgency to efforts aimed at balancing pastoralist and farming interests while preserving peace and food security in the region.