UPDF refuses to hand over seized cattle, demands South Sudan’s apology

JUBA – The Ugandan People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) has refused to return cattle seized from South Sudan’s Ikotos County, demanding an apology from the South Sudanese government over alleged encroachment into Ugandan territory.

Ikotos County Commissioner Timon Loboi confirmed to media outlets that the statement was made by a Ugandan brigade commander during a joint meeting in Madi Opei, a town on the border with Lamwo District, on Saturday.

The meeting was initially convened to arrange the return of the seized cattle, as promised by Lamwo Resident District Commissioner William Komakech last week.

“On the 17^th of this month, the security situation along the Tseretenya border became tense after the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) seized an unspecified number of cattle, including oxen,” Loboi said.

Komakech denied allegations of a raid, stating that the cattle were seized for straying into Ugandan territory to graze and access water.

Commissioner Loboi said the UPDF demanded an apology during Saturday’s meeting and warned that without one, the cattle would not be returned and could instead be used to feed wounded Ugandan officers.

“The brigade commander in Madi Opei said in the meeting on Saturday that they need an apology from our government in South Sudan. Otherwise, they will not release the cattle. They also accused us of making false claims in the media about them raiding cattle. We only ask for the return of our cattle. We did not fight them, but they took our cattle. We need them to return them,” Loboi said.

South Sudan’s State Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement, Peter Lokeng Lotone, criticized Uganda’s stance, rejecting the demand for an apology.

“How can we apologize to them? We are sisterly neighbors. Our animals can move for water and grazing. Is that a sin? As a government, we cannot make that mistake. Instead, they are the ones who should apologize to us. All we need is the return of the Ikotos community’s cattle,” Lotone said.

The dispute has heightened tensions along the border, as South Sudanese officials call for the immediate return of the cattle to avoid further conflict.