West Nile leaders and the security personnel seated under a mango tree waiting for the South Sudan authorities for the meeting to negotiate the release of six Ugandans. Photo: Daily Monitor).

The local government in Kajo Keji County of Central Equatoria State has resolved to release five Ugandans who have been arrested in South Sudan territory and detained for nearly two weeks.

The detainees are identified as Mbaku Kassim Salim, Godi Dafala, Nyaga Asirafu and Ajobe Kassim Boboli.

The residents of Lubara sub-county in Koboko District were held captive since January 21st, in Kerwa Boma of Kajo Keji County.

They were intercepted while walking from Dongoro in Lanya County, an area believed to be having the presence of armed opposition group, the National Salvation Front.

Phanuel Dumo, the Commissioner of Kajo Keji County told Eye Radio on Tuesday that the detained men will be handed over to officials in Moyo District on the same day.

“The handing over is through our liaison officer who was sent by authority in Moyo District to come and confirm the presence of the five Ugandans. I brought them on the 29th, they were there in the western side of Kajo keji in Liwolo,” Dumo said.

“So, when I prove that there were no reason for them to be arrested that way, because Ugandan government has complained to our government and basically we are releasing them today through Oliver and other officials from Moyo District.”

Dumo added that, the arrest of the five individuals should not be framed on the government of South Sudan, and said it is a mistake from individual officers.

The Daily Monitor newspaper reports that the Kajo-keji authorities became suspicious of their movements in the area reportedly with heavy presence of the NAS group.