Dozens of Ugandan men are stationed in KejoKeji and are reportedly involved in illegal logging. | Photo: Denis Logonyi.

The Commissioner of Kajo-Keji County in Central Equatoria State said he has ordered dozens of Uganda nationals illegally occupying some parts of Kajo-Keji to peacefully leave the area. 

According to the local authorities, over 100 young people from Moyo and Yumbe districts are occupying the area claiming it is a Ugandan territory.

On Sunday, the Commissioner of Kajo-Keji, Phanuel Dumo led a delegation to Kangapo Payam where the Ugandans are reportedly stationed.

Speaking to the media after the visit, Commissioner Dumo said the Ugandan nationals’ have also occupied Adire primary school and other surrounding areas.

The local official added that they are also involved in tree logging in the area.

“They were brought by four vehicles and they occupy one of our primary school the same time they came logging so when we arrived, we went to the site we met them. Majority of them are from Yumbe,” he said.

Commissioner Dumo said one Wajarasu is believed to be responsible for the transportation of Ugandans into South Sudan territory.

He has been accused of orchestrating logging activities in the area.

“He is the one who organize that deal, telling them that there is a free land here which is belongs to Ugandans. We told the group that we found there to immediately leave Kajo-Keji and we have schedule a meeting to meet with RDC of Moyo [and] RDC of Yumbe so that we address this issue.”

One of the foreigners who identified himself as Mansoor from Yumbe district said he came to the area on Saturday to search for a land for cultivation before he was stopped.

“I came here yesterday just to get a piece of land for farming,” he said.

“When I came this side, I started to wonder who planted this things and who put these constructions here but for sure if you look at this place, this building and these mangoes, this land for sure belongs to these brothers of South Sudan, so thank you for your advice.”

“I am a farmer and we were told there is empty land this way so we heard it is our brother called Wajarasu who is a landlord of it,” said another Yumbe resident who identify himself only as Abunasoor.

“I came in 2022 it was around April 17^th which means I have now finished one year in this area. He (Wajarasu) told us that this area was a training wing for SPLA. We are here but we didn’t know that this place is in South Sudan and we are here not even because of the border, we are here just because of land.”

Bamurye Boma in Kangapo II payam was deserted after the outbreak of 2016 civil war in the country, which left many residents to flee for safety in the refugee camps in Uganda.