Police arrest armed S. Sudanese soldier

Security threat. The man, who was among the 74 asylum seekers, was found with a bag of weapons.

Fear gripped residents of Arinyapi, Dzaipi and Pacara sub-counties in Adjumani District following the arrest of an armed South Sudanese soldier found among the 74 asylum seekers.

A junior police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they arrested the plain-clothed man carrying a bag “loaded with light weapons” at Dzaipi Reception Centre in Dazipi during a routine check-up.
“We decided to repatriate him after consulting with the South Sudan authorities at the border since his entry was illegal and a security threat,” the police officer said.

Adjumani continues to receive at least 150 children, women and elderly asylum seekers every month from Jonglei State in South Sudan, where there are continuous tribal clashes between the Dinka and Murlei tribes.

Mr Tom Asilaza of Arinyapi, said there was need for the army to establish a base at the porous border point to avoid unexpected havoc caused by armed foreign soldiers.

“We want the security officials to clear this matter because this is not the first time South Sudanese soldiers are crossing to Uganda with dangerous weapons,” Mr Asilaza said.

The district police commander, Mr Andrew Kaggwa, said his office was not yet briefed about the arrest. “I am yet to confirm from my officers who were on the ground, but as police we shall not entertain wrong elements,”
he said.

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