UGANDA, SOUTH SUDAN AGREE ON JOINT ACTION TO BOOST CROSS-BORDER SECURITY AND PEACE

Ugandan and South Sudanese stakeholders, during the High level meeting in Mere Boma Kajo keji county, central Equatorial state, Republic of south Sudan.

By Ganiko Samson Bullen

Moyo

Authorities from Uganda and South Sudan on Friday, September 4, 2026, converged in Kajo-Keji County, Central Equatoria State in the Republic of South Sudan, to deliberate on and review the implementation of resolutions reached during a previous meeting held in Arua.

The meeting brought together high-level delegations from the national government in Juba, stakeholders from Uganda’s districts of Moyo, Obongi and Yumbe, as well as security agencies from both Uganda and South Sudan.

The meeting in Arua focused on cross-border security, trade and peaceful coexistence among communities of the two countries.

Gertrude Collins Obedi, the Dean of Resident District Commissioners in West Nile and chairperson of the meeting, shared the outcomes during a press briefing after the discussions.

“There should be open communication between us. Where we get challenges from the Kajo-Keji side, there should be communication, likewise with the side of Moyo and Yumbe. We have also done something very tremendous, that the bodies which had stayed in Yumbe for a while should be released,” she revealed.

Meanwhile, Mawa K. Moses, the Minister for Trade in Central Equatoria State and Co-Chairperson of the meeting, says the issues raised will be addressed as soon as possible to promote harmonious living between the communities.

“The issues that have been identified, we are going to handle them in the few days to come, and we will continue to do community engagement,” Mawa revealed.

He added that the parties had agreed to visit hotspot areas where conflicts have continued, within a period of one month.

The meeting also resolved to put an end to illegal logging and charcoal burning in Kajo-Keji County.

However, the Executive Director of Kajo-Keji County, Ryembe Benjamin Wani, says enforcement remains a major challenge in implementing the resolutions. “What’s worse is the non-enforcement of the rules, laws and regulations guiding the utilization of afforestation products,” Wani pointed out.

Asiku Abdulmutalib, the LC5 Chairperson of Yumbe District, says there is no difference between the communities of Yumbe and Kajo-Keji, calling for the implementation of the agreed resolutions.

“My appeal is that the resolutions that have been agreed upon in this Border Management Committee should be respected by either party, such that by the end of it, we are able to help our communities and ensure that the two communities coexist,” the LC5 Chairperson concluded.

The continuous cross boarder engagements among authorities in West Nile Uganda and Central Equatoria state in South Sudan highlight the need for dialogue and peaceful coexistence following clashes that have sometimes turned fatal.

Written by newsroom-radiopacis