LAMWO – Lamwo district security committee has issued a two weeks ultimatum to armed South Sudan elements who allegedly made incursions into Uganda’s border hinterland to peaceful leave and go back to their country.
It’s reported that in the recent past weeks, unspecified armed South Sudan elements, made two separate invasions and pitched camp in Ngomoromo and Aweno Olwiyo in Lokung Sub County; and Loguru in Agoro Sub County with claims that the area belongs to their country’s hinterland.
The Lamwo Resident District Commissioner James Kidega Nock says the committee in its recent sitting resolved that his office notifies his South Sudanese counterparts to implore the elements to peacefully leave the areas they have been occupying.
Mr Kidega warns that failure to adhere to the directive and upon elapse of the stipulated time frame will render security forces to forcefully repulse the armed elements from where they have been occupying.
“I’ve been asked to write to the commissioner and Governors of Magwi, Geria and Ikotos Counties of South Sudan asking their forces to leave the Uganda hinterland because their motive is ultimately illegal and posing a security threat to the wanainchi,” said Mr Kidega.
Sub County Councilor David Ocan Kasisi said the invasion by the armed South Sudan soldiers has caused fear amidst local residents of Ngomoromo affecting mostly farmers who are now unable to go thresh their harvested and stashed simsim produce in their farmlands at the border.
There has also been reports by a section of women who have reported cases of attempted rape by the armed elements who waylay them as they engage in domestic chores in the wilderness.
Numerous infrastructural development and government programs have been hampered in the border areas of Lamwo district due to unresolved inter-border dispute between Uganda and South Sudan.
Lamwo district chairperson John Ogwok Komakech said efforts by Uganda to establish border markets in Walegu, Ngomoromo, Aweno Olwiyo and Madi Opei border entry points have repeatedly been hampered due to the uncertainty of the actual border point.
Last year, a group of over 300 people from Tseretenya; some armed and dressed in military attires tried to confront Ugandan forces who were deployed at the border to protect road contractors upgrading the Acholi Bur Kitgum Musingo road.
African Union had previously intervened and secured funding to permanently resolve the longstanding border impasse between the two countries in a joint survey demarcation and mapping of the South Sudan – Uganda border.
However, the plan has since been frustrated and failed to take root due to numerous claims from both sides on counter allegations on the deliberate removal of mark stones planted during the colonial times.
