UPDF flushes out S.Sudanese soldiers

UPDF soldiers inspect motorcycles and drums left behind by South Sudanese soldiers who intruded into Uganda last Friday. PHOTO BY DAN MICHEAL KOMAKECH

LAMWO- Gunshots on Tuesday morning rocked Apuk and Yoke villages in Lokung Sub-county, Lamwo District, as UPDF exchanged fire with South Sudanese nationals who had invaded the area.

About 200 armed South Sudanese soldiers reportedly entered nine kilometres into Uganda and put an illegal boundary demarcation near River Limu in Lokung Sub-county last Friday.

They claimed the area belongs to South Sudan.
The intruders, mostly from the border area between Magwi County of South Sudan, which borders Lamwo District in northern Uganda, destroyed several acres of crops.

People displaced
More than 400 Ugandans reportedly fled their homes following the incursion.

Speaking to Daily Monitor on Tuesday, Col Paddy Ankunda, the UPDF spokesperson, said they have forced the South Sudanese out of the area.
“We received the reports of their invasion and took matters politely to advise the intruders to leave the area but they were adamant to leave,” said Col Ankunda.

He added: “When UPDF tried to calm them, they responded with gun shots, thus forcing our men to use force against them.”

He said the government would engage the leadership of South Sudan to amicably resolve the border disputes.

Lamwo chairperson Mathew Akia said the intruders left behind two national flags of South Sudan, five motorcycles, two plastic water container drums and ammunition.