South Sudanese Soldiers Killed in Border Clash with Ugandan Forces

At least four South Sudanese soldiers were killed in a clash with Ugandan forces near the disputed border. Both sides blame each other, and a ceasefire has been agreed to allow investigations. Tensions remain high amid ongoing border demarcation efforts.

At least four members of the South Sudanese security forces have been killed in a clash with the Ugandan army near the countries’ shared border, according to local officials, amid escalating tensions over disputed border demarcations.

Major General Felix Kulayigye, spokesperson for the Ugandan military, said on Wednesday that three South Sudanese soldiers were shot dead on Monday after Ugandan forces retaliated for the killing of one of their own. However, Wani Jackson Mule, a local official in South Sudan’s Central Equatoria state, reported receiving the bodies of five South Sudanese soldiers.

Uganda has a longstanding history of involvement in South Sudan, having consistently supported President Salva Kiir militarily, including the deployment of special forces since March.

On Wednesday, Major General Lul Ruai Koang, spokesperson for South Sudan’s military, confirmed that military leaders from both countries have agreed to an immediate ceasefire to allow for a thorough investigation into the recent border skirmish.

A statement from local South Sudanese authorities quoted army commander Henry Buri, who claimed that Ugandan forces “were heavily armed with tanks and artilleries” and had specifically targeted a unit of 19 “joint operation” forces. The Ugandan government has not publicly commented on the incident.

An earlier statement from local county officials acknowledged that there had been “loss of lives and injuries from both sides,” although it did not specify casualty figures.

The precise cause of Monday’s fighting, reportedly in Central Equatoria, South Sudan, remains unclear. According to General Kulayigye, the clashes occurred in the remote West Nile region of northwestern Uganda after South Sudanese troops allegedly crossed into Ugandan territory, set up camp, and refused to withdraw. “We had to apply force,” he said.

However, there are conflicting accounts. Mule characterized the incident as a “surprise attack” by Ugandan forces in an area that South Sudan considers to be within its own territory. Disputes over specific sections of the Uganda South Sudan border have persisted for years.

Kulayigye added that a joint border demarcation committee, composed of officials from both countries, is continuing its work. The governments have previously stated that a final agreement on the border is expected by 2027.

While sporadic border clashes have occurred over the years, direct firefights between the two military allies are uncommon.

Uganda initially deployed troops to support President Kiir when civil war broke out in South Sudan in 2013, just two years after the country gained independence from Sudan. The five year conflict between Kiir and his former vice president and rival, Riek Machar, resulted in the deaths of approximately 400,000 people before a power sharing deal was reached in 2018.

In March of this year, Uganda once again deployed special forces to South Sudan, as Kiir launched fresh actions against Machar, eventually placing him under house arrest. This move reignited fears of a renewed civil war and effectively nullified the previous power sharing agreement, sparking conflict between government forces and militias aligned with Machar’s Nuer ethnic group.

The Ugandan military has also faced accusations of using chemical weapons, specifically barrel bombs filled with flammable liquid, against Nuer militias in northeastern South Sudan. These attacks have allegedly resulted in civilian deaths, though Uganda has denied the claims.