By Kidega Livingstone
The Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) have been accused of beating and chasing away 15 civilian farmers in, Kajo-Keji County, Central Equatoria State, in a latest encroachment claim.
According to Kenyi Henry John, the Chairperson of the Kajo-Keji County Youth, the incident started two weeks ago when a local youth from Serajale Boma cleared over 50 hectares of land for farming.
The UPDF and authorities from Moyo district of Uganda, which borders Kajo-Keji, claimed that the land belonged to them and were unhappy with the land clearing.
“This morning (yesterday), the Ugandan Army came to the area where the boy was clearing the bush for his farming activities and told the boy and other people around the area that the land belongs to Uganda, but the boy was claiming ownership,” Henry said.
“They (UPDF) did not want to hear about the ownership; they have started beating boys and other groups of 15 people in the area.”
The farmers, who were beaten and chased away, have sought refuge at the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) barracks in the area.
They are now planning to visit the Kajo-Keji County headquarters to seek assistance from the South Sudanese government.
This is not the first time such an incident has occurred in the area. Last year, in May 2023, the UPDF reportedly killed a woman and injured four other men in Bamurye Boma, Kajo-Keji County, following a cross-border encounter after Ugandan nationals allegedly encroached and settled deep into South Sudanese territory.
The border security situation between South Sudan and Uganda, particularly in Kajo-Keji County, remains fluid, with concerns over the UPDF’s alleged presence and actions within South Sudanese territory.