Uganda, South Sudan agree to pursue individuals behind Moyo border violence
Authorities in Uganda’s Moyo District and neighbouring Kajo-Keji County in South Sudan have agreed to identify, arrest and prosecute individuals accused of mobilising communities and participating in recent violence between the Madi and Kuku communities.
The agreement followed tensions triggered by a cattle dispute that escalated into allegations of house burning, looting and destruction of property along the Uganda-South Sudan border.
On September 1, farmers in Abaya farmland in Eria Parish, Moyo Sub-county, intercepted 171 cattle that had crossed from South Sudan and allegedly destroyed cassava plantations.
The cattle were later handed back to a South Sudanese delegation following intervention by Ugandan and South Sudanese authorities.
The dispute, however, later escalated, with livestock keepers from South Sudan accused of retaliating by burning houses and looting property belonging to members of the farming community.
Brig Gen Charles Asiimwe, Commander of Brigade 503 in Kolo-Kolo, called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the alleged arson and looting.
Moyo Resident District Commissioner Geoffrey Ocailap warned both communities against retaliatory attacks and destruction of property, saying such acts constitute criminal offences that must be handled through established leadership and legal channels.
In South Sudan, Kajo-Keji County Commissioner Jackson Wani said authorities had identified two groups of suspects who would be tracked down, arrested and taken to court for allegedly taking the law into their own hands.
Col Buri, the Kajo-Keji County intelligence officer, urged the communities to forgive one another, embrace dialogue and maintain clear boundaries between livestock-grazing corridors and farmland.
He said authorities would treat offenders as individuals rather than allow them to hide behind their community identities.
“Anyone found responsible for attacks, arson, looting, theft or other criminal activities will be treated as an individual offender and dealt with according to the law,” Col Buri said.
Leaders on both sides also called for increased security vigilance and joint community sensitisation to prevent further escalation.
Conflict takes economic toll
Moyo District Chairperson Jimmy Vukoni called on leaders and residents on both sides of the border to work together to end longstanding tensions between the Madi and Kuku communities.
Vukoni said years of conflict had left the border corridor economically inactive and disadvantaged, warning that continued hostility would deepen poverty among residents.
“The Madi and Kuku people are not enemies. Our true enemies are poverty, disease and ignorance. We must stop this kind of violence and insecurity at the border and focus on poverty alleviation among communities,” he said.
He called for the reopening and revitalisation of the border corridor through peace and cooperation, saying stability would allow trade, movement and economic activity to resume.
Vukoni also urged farmers and livestock keepers to respect agreed farmland and grazing corridors, warning that individuals should not exploit local disputes to incite communities against one another.
He reiterated that attacks, arson, theft and destruction of property should be treated as individual criminal acts rather than crimes committed on behalf of entire communities.
The latest cross-border engagement highlights the need for dialogue, accountability and peaceful coexistence between the Madi and Kuku communities along the Uganda-South Sudan border.