The Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) will not hand over the cattle seized from Ikotos, unless the South Sudan Government apologizes for their alleged encroachment into their territory, officials said.
South Sudan’s Ikotos County Commissioner Timon Loboi said UPDF had said failure to render the apology would see the cattle sold and the proceeds used to treat the officers wounded during their seizure.
The UPDF declaration came on Saturday during a meeting between the Ikotos authorities and the Ugandan officials at the Madiopei border town of Lamwo District.
The meeting was to officially hand over the cattle according to the promise by the Lamwo RDC, William Komakech, and last week.
Last week, Ugandan authorities agreed to return the seized cattle from South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State.
On November 17, the security situation along the Tsertenya border became tense after UPDF reportedly raided unspecified number of cattle.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, the Ugandan authorities alleged that the cattle were seized for encroaching their territory for grazing.
During the incident, both the Ugandan and the South Sudan authorities did not reveal whether there were any casualties from both sides, except that an AK 47 gun was confiscated from a cattle herder.
The Ikotos County Commissioner said that he could not apologize and that the Eastern Equatoria State Government was aware of the order issued by the Lamwo District brigade commander.
Eastern Equatoria State Minister for Local Government Peter Lokeng Lotone and the law enforcement agencies confirmed UPDF’s refusal to handover the seized cattle.
Lotone said Eastern Equatoria State Government would not apologize for the false claim of encroachment, accusing UPDF of patrolling the South Sudan territory with an aim of raiding cattle.
He refuted the Ugandan allegations of injuries during the raid, saying there was no clash between UPDF and the South Sudan herders.
Lotone appealed to the National Government to resolve the border issues to avert tensions.
Lamwo District Commissioner declined to comment on the matter.
“You call me tomorrow; I will have an answer for you. I was a way, try to reach me on call tomorrow,” he said.