Uganda authorities have said armed South Sudanese cattle rustlers crossed to Lamwo District bordering South Sudan and raided 39 cattle.

The armed rustlers on Monday said to have gone in a large number and raided 39 animals belonging to Olon Olony and John Apila residents of Doktangi village in Lawiye-Oduny Parish in Madi Opei Sub County on Monday.

The raiders are said to have quickly fled Lamwo District, Uganda,  and headed towards Tseretenya Boma in Ikotos County of Eastern Equatoria State.

The Resident District Commissioner [RDC] of Lamwo District, James Kidega Nabinson, said the UPDF managed to recover 26 cattle while the raiders escaped with some of the cattle.

Kidega said they were in touch with the government of Eastern Equatoria State and Commissioner of Ikotos County who added the authorities at the South Sudan side have embarked on a search to ensure the cattle raiders are arrested and the stolen animals recovered.

When contacted, the Minister of Information and Communication for Eastern Equatoria State, Patrick Oting confirmed the incident but promised to get more details about the incident.

At least two people, including a member of Uganda People’s Defense Forces officer, sustained injuries after the Ugandan army and cattle raiders exchanged gunfire in the process as the UPDF tried to recover the cattle.

Area LC3 Chairperson of Madi Opei Sub County, Felix Nyero Lawii confirmed the incident to the media and said two people are receiving treatment at Madi-Opei Health Centre IV.  

This is another incident of cross-border insecurity after another in August where tension was noted when an inter-communal fight broke out between the Toposa and Turkana of neighbouring Kenya and two people were killed.

The fight erupted at Mogila Mountain where the Toposa herders normally graze their cattle close to Turkana cattle camp.

According to the Commissioner of Kapoeta East County Abdalla Loken, two people were killed in the Toposa’s side while another was injured.

Cypriano Lobui Lomong, Ndapal Payam Administrator, confirmed the fighting but said no cattle had been raided from each community.