Budi County authorities, Eastern Equatoria State have handed over three suspected cattle raiders from Kathile Sub-County of Kaabong district to the Ugandan government.
They were arrested on November 21, 2023, by the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSDF) at Himan Boma Lotukei Payam.
On Feb. 5th, 2023, the three suspects, ages 20, 19 and 18 were later handed over to the Ugandan government on January 5, 2024, after being held in Chukudum police custody for nearly two months.
The handing over occurred after a thorough investigation.
Speaking during the handover to Ugandan authorities, Budi County commissioner Akileo Mboya Peter, said the suspects were arrested following increased surveillance by the security forces at the border point, after a massive cattle raid conducted by some criminals from Dodoth of Kaabong district and Turkana of Kenya in Lotukei Payam, where nearly 800 herds of cattle were taken and more than 10 lives lost.
‘The borders should not create barriers to our communities but rather act like bridges that link communities from the two countries. We are actually East African Communities, we need to create a borderless nation that connects our people, to boost trade and local economy. Criminals and agents of violence like illicit alcohol should not derail our efforts to create borderless nations,” Commissioner Akileo Added.
For his part, the resident district commissioner of Kaabong District-Uganda Mr. Loluk Felix applauded his Counterpart Akileo Mboya for keeping the culprits safe and healthy.
Mr. Loluk acknowledged that a disarmament effort in the Karamoja region in Uganda was resisted by some youths who fled to border points and created insecurity in both countries.
He further appeals to both two sisterly countries to transform the available natural resources to generate more income for the Country.
According to him, there is a need to promote reconciliation, especially in Bira payam of Ikotos where most poaching is taking place.
“We no longer need to take pleasure in killing animals there are better things we can do than this. We are transforming these natural resources to give us money, not names.”
The RDC called upon Youths from the two Countries of South Sudan and Uganda to re-direct their energy into productive activities rather than engaging themselves in unlawful activities.
RDC further describes the unnecessary movement as unlawful, which is prohibited except with a valid document that permits travelers.
He also said the two communities should understand that the wildlife from Kidepo National Park is migrating to South Sudan side and that in the future, given sustainable peace in South Sudan, tourists will also visit and pay money.
“We are tired of being fed by the West and being their beneficiaries yet we are capable of producing all these things ourselves,” the RDC has said.
The handing over ceremony was witnessed by deputy LC5 Joseph Mukasa, LC3 Mr. Kapel, DPC including other officers from Kaabong district Uganda while from Budi County South Sudan also represented by Area MP Hon. Peter Bosco Lotyang, Payam administrators, Heads of organized forces, Business Community, Community elders among others,