Two people hacked to death in fresh Moyo attack

Policemen move to clear a barricaded road leading to Afoji border post in Moyo District recently. The barricade was erected by Moyo residents protesting the arrest of their leaders by South Sudanese security personnel. PHOTO BY SCOVIN ICETA

MOYO

Two people in Eria Village, Moyo Sub-county were on Thursday night hacked to death by suspected South Sudanese assailants.

At least 10 people were injured and two houses burnt in the attacks. The regional police public relations officer, Ms Josephine Angucia, said the attackers raided the homes of their victims late in the night. She said no one had been arrested in connection with the incident, adding that investigations are ongoing.

The dead have been identified as Grace Ajua, a Sudanese woman who was married to a Ugandan and Annet Ililia, a Ugandan. Police said five people are missing. Intelligence information indicates that locals in Moyo Town are planning to attack the South Sudanese in revenge.

The animosity between the Madi community in Moyo District and the Kuku of South Sudan was sparked by the recent arrest of Moyo officials and census enumerators by South Sudan security personnel in Wano Village where they gone to conduct the national census.

Wano is claimed by both Uganda and South Sudan.
The Moyo officials were detained in South Sudan where some of the officials say they were tortured before being released. The arrest of Moyo officials sparked a protest by locals which culminated in attacks on South Sudanese in the district and burning of several of their houses, forcing several of them to flee the district and return to their country.

On Wednesday night, two Ugandan residents of Wano Village were injured by suspected South Sudanese. Several livestock and property were also looted in the attack suspected to be in revenge over earlier attacks on South Sudanese.

Speaking about the latest attacks, the Moyo deputy Resident District Commissioner, Ms Gertrude Obedi, accused the police of not providing security after they were reportedly tipped that an attack was being planned by South Sudanese against Ugandans.

Ms Obedi said: “I informed the police in advance after receiving information of a planned attack. But I wonder why the police and the UPDF did not patrol the area and provide security for our people.”

The regional police public relations officer said: “We ask the government to allocate funds and establish committees from Uganda and South Sudan to demarcate the border.”

Local leaders warn that if the two governments do not act fast and find permanent solution to the problem, more bloodshed will be witnessed.
Locals have barricaded some parts of Moyo-Arua and Moyo-Adjumani roads. Passengers travelling to the areas are now stranded at the points.