The Acholi Community in the Eastern Equatoria State’s Magwi County has officially rejected the Limur Multipurpose Water and Resource Development Project that was recently endorsed by South Sudan’s Minister of Water and Irrigation, Pal Mai Deng.
The USD 98 million joint venture with Uganda, aimed at developing critical water infrastructure, has drawn significant criticism for its failure to engage with local leaders.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, David Tim Okot, Chairperson of the Acholi Community in Magwi County, expressed skepticism regarding the project’s legitimacy due to the absence of a thorough environmental and social impact assessment and inadequate community engagement.
“The suspicious and questionable project did not seek prior approval from the Acholi Community leadership, and we consider this conduct deeply contemptible,” he stated.
Okot emphasized that without essential infrastructure in place, constructing a dam would worsen existing logistical challenges in the region, adding that the South Sudan-Uganda border dispute should take precedence before any infrastructural developments proceed.
He further condemned the project’s promotion, alleging that it involved “opaque consultations” favoring political elites while undermining local governance structures. The community leader highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure improvements, noting that all three major bridges connecting Magwi to Juba are currently in disrepair.
“Rehabilitating road infrastructure and constructing bridges should take precedence to improve connectivity and access,” Okot asserted. “We therefore disassociate the Acholi Community from this suspicious project and its potential negative repercussions. The community shall not be held responsible for any issues arising from it.”
The Acholi Community is calling on both state and national governments to redirect their efforts toward addressing critical infrastructure needs rather than advancing the Limur project without genuine consultations.
