More than 300 people have been displaced from their homes in the ongoing border dispute with Uganda.

The Minister for Local Government, Lokai Iko, says the Ugandan army now controls Phogee, a border town in Magwi County.

The dispute started on Friday, when residents of the area accused the Ugandan troops of entering and occupying territories more than 15 kilometers inside South Sudan.

This resulted in gunfire over the weekend and continued until Tuesday.

The Ugandan army told the media that it was evicting South Sudanese who had illegally settled on Ugandan territories.

More than ten local farmers were reported missing after the shooting. The displaced are now camping in Pajok payam.

Mr Iko told Eye Radio that the state government is holding discussions on the issue with their Ugandan counterparts.

“What is important is that, Juba and Kampala have to dialogue – have to reach a conclusion and settle this problem,” Mr Iko stated.

Mr Iko says Ugandan authorities also wanted to grade a road inside the state.

He said this also sparked tension. Ugandan officials have admitted to the media that they chased out South Sudanese in the disputed area, but insist the land belongs to them.

A joint committee formed last year to demarcate the borders between the two countries is yet to do its work.

A member of the team, David Ngailo, told Eye Radio that they have no funds.