Uganda and South Sudan to Prosecute Perpetrators of Moyo Border Violence

Officials from Uganda and South Sudan have pledged to pursue legal action against individuals responsible for instigating violence along their common border. The agreement aims to bring to justice those who mobilized communities and engaged in destructive acts following a dispute over cattle.

Tensions flared on September 1 when Ugandan farmers in Moyo intercepted 171 cattle that had crossed from South Sudan and allegedly damaged cassava plantations. While the cattle were returned after intervention, the situation escalated, with livestock keepers from South Sudan reportedly retaliating by burning houses and looting property.

Brig. Gen. Charles Asiimwe, Commander of Brigade 503, emphasized the need for accountability, calling for the arrest and prosecution of those involved in arson and looting. Moyo Resident District Commissioner Geoffrey Ocailap cautioned against retaliatory actions, stating that such acts are criminal offenses that must be handled through legal channels.

Kajo-Keji County Commissioner Jackson Wani confirmed that authorities in South Sudan have identified suspect groups and will apprehend them. Col. Buri, Kajo-Keji County intelligence officer, stressed that offenders would be treated as individuals, regardless of their community affiliation, and dealt with according to the law.

Local leaders, including Moyo District Chairperson Jimmy Vukoni, highlighted the economic detriment caused by years of border conflict. They urged for cooperation to restore stability, reopen trade routes, and combat shared enemies like poverty, disease, and ignorance. The leaders also called for mutual respect for farmland and grazing corridors, treating disputes as individual criminal acts rather than community-wide grievances.

This cross-border collaboration underscores the importance of dialogue and peaceful coexistence between the Madi and Kuku communities. The focus now shifts to ensuring accountability and preventing future escalations.