By Sabri Dibaco
The Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Liwolo has issued an urgent humanitarian appeal after renewed armed violence along the South Sudan-Uganda border.
The conflict reportedly displaced people, leaving civilians in desperate need of food, shelter, water, and medical assistance.
In a public appeal released on Wednesday, the Right Reverend Joseph Abba, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Liwolo, said the humanitarian situation had deteriorated following an attack that he said involved the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in the Andejoga area on Tuesday, July 15, as well as continuing threats of attacks on Pure Goloko and Nyayengamuda.
According to Bishop Abba, thousands of civilians fled their homes fearing for their safety and are now sheltering at St. Paul Cathedral in Sokare Boma, Mangalutore Archdeaconry headquarters, Mangalutore Primary School, and Kerua Boma.
“Another tragedy has befallen us. Thousands of innocent civilians have fled from their homes in fear of their lives,” Bishop Abba said.
He said the majority of those displaced are children, women, elderly people, and other vulnerable groups who escaped with little or no belongings and are now living in overcrowded conditions.
The bishop warned that many families have been sleeping in the open without adequate shelter, exposing children, pregnant women, nursing mothers, older persons, and people living with disabilities to hunger, disease, trauma, and harsh weather.
He appealed to humanitarian agencies, churches, faith-based organisations, government institutions, development partners and charitable organisations to urgently provide emergency assistance.
“We therefore make this honest appeal to humanitarian agencies, our churches, faith-based organisations, government institutions, development partners, charitable organisations, and people of goodwill to urgently stand with the suffering families, particularly the children,” he said.
The diocese identified immediate priorities including emergency food assistance, safe drinking water, temporary shelter materials, blankets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets, household items, medical supplies, healthcare services, hygiene and sanitation materials, and protection services for women, children, and other vulnerable groups.
Beyond humanitarian assistance, Bishop Abba also called for prayers and diplomatic efforts to end the recurring violence along the disputed border.
“Our people are in pain. Our people are suffering. Pray that peace will prevail between the governments of Uganda and South Sudan so that this border issue is resolved once and for all,” he said.
The appeal comes as humanitarian organisations continue to warn that repeated insecurity and displacement in border communities are worsening already fragile living conditions for thousands of civilians.
The latest displacement follows renewed tensions along sections of the South Sudan-Uganda border, where communities have periodically experienced insecurity linked to disputed boundary areas and military activities.
Border incidents have previously forced civilians to flee their homes, disrupted farming and trade, and increased humanitarian needs in affected communities.
Churches have frequently played a central role in responding to such crises by providing temporary shelter, coordinating relief efforts, and advocating for peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Humanitarian agencies operating in South Sudan have repeatedly warned that conflict-induced displacement, combined with food insecurity, limited healthcare and poor access to clean water, continues to leave vulnerable populations at significant risk, particularly women and children.
The Episcopal Diocese of Liwolo’s appeal adds to growing calls for immediate humanitarian intervention and renewed dialogue between South Sudan and Uganda to prevent further displacement and protect civilians living along the border.