Kajo-Keji Leaders Call for End to Border Clashes
(KAJO-KEJI COUNTY) – The Kajokeji Community Organisation (KCO) has issued a strong condemnation following repeated clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) along the shared border between South Sudan and Uganda.
The statement signed by the KCO Chairperson Aggrey Tisa Sabunioutlines years of deadly incidents, civilian harassment and military aggression that continue to threaten peace and stability in border areas.
The press release highlights a pattern of confrontations dating back several years. One of the most recent and deadly episodes occurred on 28 July 2025 at Nyainga Muda village in Bori Boma, Kangapo Two Payam, Kajo-Keji County. The clash between the SSPDF and UPDF reportedly resulted in multiple fatalities on both sides.
This is not the first time that this village has been the scene of violence. In June 2020, the UPDF reportedly killed four SSPDF soldiers in Nyainga Muda. The area, which authorities in Uganda’s Yumbe District now refer to as “Fitina Mbaya”, has become symbolic of the recurring conflict.
In another tragic incident, the UPDF killed Mary Kiden Wongo, the Chairperson of Kangapo Two Payam, in May 2023. She had travelled to Lunyamiro village, Bamurye Boma, Kajo-Keji County, to protest the alleged registration of South Sudanese citizens as Ugandans during a population census conducted by Moyo District. Her body was later handed over to South Sudanese authorities.
September 2023 saw the abduction of Chief Erasto Tumiya from his village in Bori Boma. The UPDF reportedly took him across the border into Uganda. In retaliation, South Sudanese police arrested 13 Ugandan nationals who were cutting trees for charcoal in the same area. A prisoner swap was later arranged, with both parties releasing the detainees.
Clashes have also occurred in Eastern Equatoria State. In June 2024, Ugandan game rangers shot and killed 11 villagers from the Didinga community inside Kidepo National Game Park, located in Budi County. Similarly, the UPDF and SSPDF fought in 2023 at Owinyikibul Boma, Magwi County, resulting in casualties and the abduction of several South Sudanese personnel.
Farmers in Mugali Boma, Magwi County, were reportedly harassed for most of 2024 by Ugandan forces. Villagers in Poge, Magwi County, have also faced longstanding intimidation by the UPDF since the early years of South Sudan’s independence.
The KCO press release warns that such incidents leave behind a trail of human loss, destruction of property, and displacement of civilians, all of which fuel humanitarian crises on both sides of the border.
The statement expresses condolences to families who have lost loved ones or property, whether in South Sudan or Uganda. It labels the ongoing military attitudes as “uncalled for, unnecessary and strongly condemned”.
According to the KCO, many of these tragedies could have been avoided through adherence to regional principles and responsible conduct. The press release outlines several recommendations to de-escalate tensions:
| Recommendation | Detail |
|---|---|
| Respect the EAC Treaty | Partner states like South Sudan and Uganda should maintain friendly and cooperative relations as per the East African Community agreement. |
| Honour IGAD Principles | IGAD promotes regional food security, cooperation, and peace. Both countries are signatories. |
| Follow the AU Roadmap | The African Union has outlined peaceful approaches for resolving inter-state border issues. |
| Promote Responsible Leadership | Leaders at all levels must show restraint and prioritise peace. |
| Encourage Responsible Media | Media and journalists should avoid inflammatory reporting and focus on accuracy. |
The statement also reminds communities on both sides of the border of their shared history. Long before the border lines were drawn, people lived together peacefully, intermarried and shared resources. The KCO calls for a return to these values and envisions a future where African unity prevails through Pan-Africanism.
The press release was distributed to key national and regional actors, including the Foreign Ministers of both South Sudan and Uganda, the respective ambassadors, the IGAD envoy to South Sudan, the Secretary General of the East African Community and various media outlets.
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