Uganda-South Sudan Border Row: Minister Oleru Urges Communities to Unite as One Family
Uganda’s State Minister for Defence and Veterans Affairs, Hon. Dr. Huda Abason Oleru, has called on communities along the Uganda–South Sudan border to embrace cooperation, dialogue, and mutual solidarity as members of one extended transnational family.
Addressing a high-level bilateral border reconciliation and conflict-resolution meeting at Hotel Le-Confidentiel in Arua City, West Nile, Minister Oleru described the engagement as a significant step toward conflict resolution and cross-border peacebuilding.
She highlighted the shared language, traditions, culture, and heritage of West Nile communities—including the Aringa, Lugbara, Alur, Madi, Kebu, and Lendu—who remain linked by identity despite the territorial boundary that divides them.
The Minister commended President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba for their sustained support for peacebuilding initiatives with neighbouring states.
She urged religious, cultural, and traditional leaders from both Uganda and South Sudan to intensify community sensitization on the importance of peaceful coexistence and non-violent dispute management, thereby consolidating established cross-border peace and security arrangements.
The multi-stakeholder forum brought together government officials, religious leaders, women and youth representatives, community leaders, and security personnel from both countries.
It focused on resolving the more than decade-long border dispute between Yumbe District (Uganda) and Kajo Keji County (South Sudan), as part of broader bilateral efforts to de-escalate tensions, strengthen joint security mechanisms, and promote sustainable peace along the shared frontier.
Key resolutions adopted include the re-demarcation of the disputed 6.12-kilometre border stretch, enhanced joint intelligence and communication systems for the timely management of cross-border incidents, and the organisation of a cultural and sports gala between the Kuku and Aringa communities to advance unity through cultural diplomacy.
These measures form part of ongoing bilateral frameworks aimed at institutionalising regular joint border engagements, reducing non-tariff barriers to trade, and advancing regional stability in East Africa.
Hon. Oleru praised the governments of both nations for maintaining cordial relations that facilitate free interaction, trade, and development among border communities.
She reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to implementing the agreed resolutions and pledged to escalate community concerns and recommendations to relevant national authorities in pursuit of lasting solutions.
The Minister further emphasised investment in infrastructure and markets to support cross-border economic cooperation, while urging West Nile communities to revive their shared cultural heritage as a foundation for enduring harmony.
Representatives from South Sudan, including the Governor of Central Equatoria State, similarly stressed the need for swift implementation to accelerate peace and deepen bilateral cooperation.
Cultural institutions and traditional leaders across West Nile are expected to play a central role in grassroots mediation, community dialogue, and peace sensitization efforts to consolidate these gains and restore durable stability across the region.
The engagement aligns with presidential directives from Eastern African states to institutionalise regular joint mechanisms for conflict prevention, security coordination, and socio-economic integration along the approximately 470-kilometre shared border.