After being evicted by the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) from the Atiak sugarcane plantation, the herders crossed back into South Sudan last week with over 5,000 cattle.

By Theophilous Ochang

For generations, the rhythm of life for South Sudan’s nomadic pastoralists has been guided by the search for water, pasture, and peace. But for hundreds of cattle herders from Bor, that journey has taken a difficult turn—again.

After being evicted by the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) from the Atiak sugarcane plantation, where they had been grazing since 2022, the herders crossed back into South Sudan last week with over 5,000 cattle. Their destination was Melijo village in Mugali Payam, Magwi County, Eastern Equatoria State—an area that has historically seen tension between pastoralists and settled farming communities.

However, local authorities in Magwi have now confirmed that the herders, facing rejection from the host community, have agreed to leave.

Avoiding Renewed Conflict

“We had a frank discussion with the herders,” said Magwi County Commissioner Pole Pole Benjamin Olum. “The position of the people of Magwi County and the state government is clear: we must prevent the re-emergence of conflict between host communities and incoming cattle herders.”

Within just a week of the herders’ arrival, reports of crop damage had begun to surface, reigniting fears among local residents who depend on agriculture for survival.

“These few days have already caused tension,” Olum said. “Some communities are growing fearful. Our priority is to ensure peace and prevent any escalation.”

A Larger Regional Context

The displacement of the Bor herders is not an isolated incident but part of a broader, more complex challenge affecting many nomadic communities in South Sudan. Over the past few years, increasing insecurity, climate pressures, and the search for pasture have pushed herders to migrate across internal and international borders—often into contested or densely populated areas.

In 2022, many herders from Bor crossed into Uganda, seeking safety and grazing land. However, their prolonged stay and the use of farmland, particularly in Atiak, sparked friction. Ugandan authorities recently moved to clear pastoralists from the plantation zone, leading to the current situation.

Ugandan officials estimate that between 8,000 to 10,000 cattle, belonging to both South Sudanese and local Ugandan herders, had been grazing illegally in Atiak.

Exploring the Way Forward

With Magwi now closed to them, the Bor herders are considering a return to Uganda—this time to areas not affected by the eviction order. Commissioner Olum noted that some herders have already begun making private arrangements for relocation.

“They’ve identified people with whom they can negotiate safe passage or temporary settlement,” Olum explained. “We expect they may begin leaving Magwi County as early as tomorrow.”

Long-Term Solutions Needed

The recurring cycle of displacement, rejection, and relocation highlights the urgent need for structured solutions that recognize both the rights of pastoralists and the concerns of host communities.

Experts have long called for regional grazing corridors, peacebuilding efforts between nomads and farmers, and investment in water access and pastureland within South Sudan’s borders to reduce dependence on cross-border movement.

“This is not simply a security issue—it is a question of livelihoods, tradition, and survival,” one local civil society leader in Magwi noted. “We need long-term planning, not just evictions.”

As the herders once again prepare to move, their journey is a reminder of the delicate balance between tradition and modern land pressures, and the importance of dialogue, planning, and policy to ensure peaceful coexistence in a changing region.