High tensions along part of the border between Uganda and South Sudan have forced more than 1,000 South Sudanese to flee from Moyo District into Kajo-Keji County, according to authorities in Kajo-Keji County.

Protests by Moyo District residents turned violent on Monday. This was allegedly followed by more violence carried out by South Sudanese on Monday night.

Speaker of the Kajo-Keji Legislative Council Patrick Wolian Lagu told Radio Tamazuj that as many as 1,500 South Sudanese residents of Moyo District fled into Kajo-Keji County on Monday and Tuesday.

According to Uganda’s Daily Monitor newspaper, protesting Moyo District residents on Monday torched about 15 houses and a church belonging to South Sudanese nationals living in the area. The Ugandan government spokesman on Monday condemned the attack against South Sudan nationals.

The same newspaper reported that the demonstrators were protesting against the recent detention of Ugandan census enumerators in a disputed area by South Sudanese police. The report noted that Moyo County politicians were among the protesters.

A resident of Moyo town in Uganda told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that violence continued on Monday night until Tuesday morning, alleging that South Sudanese including some soldiers burned houses in Wano village and carried out looting of livestock.

Allegations of looting, burning and rape were dismissed by the Kajo-Keji Council Speaker. Ugandan police quoted in an NTV Uganda television report likewise reported they had no evidence of rape or livestock raiding.

The Moyo resident, who declined to be named publically, said the perpetrators left by 7 a.m. on Tuesday. “They have also shot some man using an arrow but I think his condition is not bad, he is okay, he has also reported to the police this morning,” said the Ugandan resident.

Unrest continued in Moyo District on Tuesday until deployment of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) in the area. Ugandan immigration officials have sought to keep the border between the two countries open, dismantling a barricade and chain set up by Ugandan protesters on Monday.

Radio Tamazuj was unable to reach the Moyo District Commissioner or Kajo-Keji Commissioner for comment. They were both said to be working in the border areas to resolve the unrest.

Kajo-Keji County of South Sudan is inhabited by the Kuku community and Moyo District of Uganda is inhabited by the Madi community.

Helping affected civilians

The Kajo-Keji County Council Speaker, Patrick Wolian, said the county’s business community were busy contributing food items to help feed the displaced, as the number of those fleeing from Moyo District continued to rise throughout the day on Tuesday.

“Emergency food is given to those people who are suffering especially those in Litoba since yesterday they have not got food to eat,” Wolian stated.

He also noted that the non-governmental organization Water Harvest International transported displaced people from the border areas of Jale and Litoba to Kangai way station.

“People want peace and people want clear demarcation of the border,” said the Moyo District resident. He called for the deployment of Ugandan military or security forces to calm the situation.

Photo: Moyo District in Uganda

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