Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces or UPDF heavy gunshots on Tuesday forced over 300 farmers out of their homes at Pogee area of Pajok Payam in Magwi County, Eastern Equatoria State.
State Local Government and Law Enforcement Minister Lokai Iko says the farmers are now seeking safety at Pajok Trading Centre as Ugandan forces occupied South Sudan-Uganda contested border farm lands, Radio Emmanuel reported.
He says the dispute sparked after Ugandan government graded a road into South Sudan territory, compelling the community to defend the area, disclosing that Governor Louis Lobong Lojore has already informed Juba government to handle the issue.
Minister Lokai refutes reports in Uganda’s Daily Monitor that South Sudan forces invaded Ugandan territory, saying instead Uganda intruded South Sudan.
The minister observes that South Sudan could not invade Uganda and that only seven police officers were deployed at the border, not 200 soldiers as speculated in the newspaper.
He stresses the need for border verification teams from the two countries to reveal the truth.