Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has attacked two villages in Kajo-Keji County following the killing of five South Sudanese security personnel, including two officers from the South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF), two prison officers, and one police officer in Nyainga-Muda village, Kangapo Two Payam, just over a week ago.
Kajo Keji County Commissioner, Wani Jackson Mule, confirmed to Sudans Post that gunshots were heard on Friday morning in Merwa and Gorbeleng villages of Bori Boma in Kajo Keji. He said reports reaching his office during a 10 a.m. security meeting indicated that UPDF soldiers allegedly entered the villages and fired shots.
“The UPDF entered Merwa and then Gorbeleng, shooting randomly. I’m not sure if they fired into the air or targeted civilians. These are farming communities where civilians live. We have no army or police there—only a local headman and villagers,” Mule explained.
No official confirmation of the incident has yet been made by security forces due to the remoteness of the area and the absence of security personnel.
The South Sudan government is expected to send the Minister of Defence to Uganda for talks aimed at resolving the border tensions, which have already left at least five South Sudanese dead.
Despite the tense situation, Mule says Kajo Keji remains relatively calm as the county awaits directives from national authorities.
The commissioner also dismissed reports that the UPDF had taken control of Fitina Baya, a border town between South Sudan and Uganda.
The clarification comes after Uganda’s New Vision newspaper published an article on Friday claiming UPDF forces had “captured” Fitina Baya, located in Yumbe District, Uganda.
“Since the 28th, both sides have been there side-by-side. Writing today that they have taken over is misleading,” he said.
The commissioner also appealed for urgent humanitarian assistance, citing severe shortages of food, shelter, and medicine for displaced residents sheltering in schools, the county headquarters, and churches.
According to Kajo Keji County Commissioner, Wani Jackson Mule, both the UPDF and the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) have maintained positions in the area since clashes on the 28th of last month.
“Since the fighting on the 28th, they have remained in the area. The SSPDF controls one part, and the UPDF controls another. So it’s not something new for them to be there—it’s not that they just entered and took over,” Mule told this publication in an exclusive interview.
Since 2023, at least nine people have been killed in transboundary attacks by the UPDF inside South Sudanese territory in Kajo Keji County.
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