Call for Restraint After Central Equatoria Border Skirmish

(CENTRAL EQUATORIA) – Uganda and South Sudan have committed to defusing tensions along their shared frontier in Central Equatoria State following a deadly clash last week that left several soldiers dead and raised fresh concerns over an unresolved territorial dispute.

The border area, which straddles northwestern Uganda and South Sudan’s Central Equatoria State, has long been a source of unease due to the lack of formal demarcation. Tensions escalated on Monday after a firefight broke out between the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), resulting in the deaths of at least three South Sudanese soldiers and one Ugandan soldier, according to multiple reports.

Eyewitnesses claimed that troops from both countries, supported by armoured vehicles and artillery, exchanged gunfire in an area near the disputed border. While details remain unclear, South Sudanese commander Henry Buri alleged that Ugandan forces attacked their positions inside a still undemarcated zone.

Ugandan military officials have not confirmed or denied the claim, but their army spokesperson, Major General Felix Kulayigye, stated that the clash was triggered when South Sudanese troops reportedly opened fire on a Ugandan convoy, killing one soldier. Ugandan forces responded with force, resulting in further casualties.

Local authorities in Central Equatoria said they had counted five bodies at the site of the confrontation. There were also reports that South Sudanese troops had crossed into Ugandan territory and refused to withdraw, leading to the skirmish. These claims remain unconfirmed by independent sources.

Despite the serious nature of the incident, both Kampala and Juba have agreed to treat it as an isolated case and reaffirmed their commitment to peace along the frontier. A joint border demarcation committee is currently working to define the official boundary and is expected to complete the process by 2027.

This border mapping effort is seen as crucial to avoiding further misunderstandings and military incidents. Both governments are under pressure to accelerate the committee’s work and maintain open communication channels between their military units deployed in the region.

Ugandan troops have maintained a limited presence inside South Sudan since 2013, initially invited by President Salva Kiir to help stabilise the country during its civil war against forces aligned with former vice president Riek Machar. Their role has included support for state security and protection of critical installations in conflict prone areas.

In Juba, the latest skirmish has sparked renewed calls for stronger diplomatic coordination and improved command level dialogue to manage troop movements and avoid miscommunication in border zones. For local communities living near the contested areas, the risk of future confrontations remains a serious concern.

The governments of South Sudan and Uganda now face growing expectations to use diplomacy to prevent a repeat of the recent violence and ensure stability in Central Equatoria and the broader border region.