South Sudan frees 23 Ugandan suspects

LAMWO - A total of 23 Ugandans, who were arrested by South Sudan authorities over allegedly trespassing and illegally harvesting natural resources, have been released. 

They were arrested last week in a disputed area along the border of Uganda and South Sudan while allegedly harvesting bamboo stems from a forest at Ber Lobo village in Lokung East sub-county, Lamwo district. 

On Tuesday, the Lamwo resident district commissioner, James Nabinson Kidega, received the Ugandans at Awenolwiyo border post in Lamwo district. 

A police officer at Awenolwiyo immigration border post, who preferred anonymity, said the suspects were briefly held at Teten border post, before being transferred to the Police central division in Lubone for further investigations. 

The source added that while at Lubone Police central division, charges of illegally harvesting natural resources and criminal trespass had been preferred against the suspects. 

The suspects include Joel Oroma Obuk, Denis Otim, Patrick Obuk, Geoffrey Nono, Valline Owach, Geoffrey Okot, Mathias Otema and Vincent Okema.

Others are Patrick Oringa, Charles Rubangakene, Richard Kilama, Powell Okello, Richard Opoka and Peter Komakech, among others. 

Kidega said the release follows numerous negotiations with his counterparts in South Sudan. 

He added that the areas where the suspects were arrested lie within Uganda and that the two border communities have been sharing the resources. 

Commissioner refutes allegations 

The commissioner for Magwi County, David Otoo, refuted allegations of torture and humiliations of the suspects. 

He pledged to investigate the claims brought against Bomah chiefs and immigration officers. 

Otto, however, noted that there have always been concerns from authorities about unscrupulous Ugandans, who allegedly enter their territory and cut down the forest cover despite a ban on destruction of natural forest cover. 

He implored the governments of Uganda and South Sudan to expedite the process of redefining the common boundaries between the two countries in order to end the long-standing border disputes.

Call for probe 

Lamwo resident district commissioner James Nabinson Kidega called for investigations into claims that the suspects’ property and valuables, including two axes, 28 pangas, phones, identification documents and money were taken by the arresting officers.