South Sudan Governor Urges Uganda to Formalize Reports of Cattle Raids

The Governor of Eastern Equatoria State in South Sudan, Louis Lobong Lujore, has urged Ugandan authorities to formalize reports of raided livestock as a strategy to combat ongoing cross-border cattle raids. His call came during a high-level cross-border dialogue held on Wednesday in Torit, South Sudan. The event was organized by the Refugees Law Project with support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The dialogue follows a prior meeting in December 2024 between leaders from Uganda’s Lamwo District and South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State, during which both parties pledged to improve cooperation on security and socio-economic issues affecting border communities. Despite that commitment, border communities continue to face recurring insecurity, particularly cattle raids believed to be carried out by armed individuals from South Sudan.

Williams Komakech, the Lamwo Resident District Commissioner, who led Uganda’s delegation, highlighted that 34 livestock raided in March from Moroto village in Potika Sub-county remain unaccounted for. He reported that a total of 42 livestock have been stolen this year, with only 8 recovered. Komakech noted that in February 2025, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) recovered 8 abandoned animals during a patrol in Apiriti, Madi Opei Sub-county, following a brief exchange of fire with suspected raiders. 

The livestock remains under custody at Bana Bana barracks. “We are asking for your support and collaboration in helping us recover these raided livestock since it has taken long now,” Komakech appealed. In response, Governor Lujore advised Ugandan authorities to accompany such reports with written documentation to facilitate effective follow-up and increase the chances of recovery.

“Formalizing these reports will enable South Sudanese authorities to act more effectively,” Lujore said. 

He reiterated his commitment to ending cross-border cattle raids and emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of insecurity through collaborative efforts to foster peace and stability.

The dialogue also discussed the need to improve infrastructure, particularly the 56-kilometre Ngomoromo–Magwir road, which links Lamwo District to South Sudan. Sisto Oyet Ocen, Lamwo District Chairperson, announced that the local government had agreed to support Eastern Equatoria with equipment to rehabilitate the road.

“This road once worked on will not only boost trade but also security, especially in combating persistent livestock raids,” Oyet stated. His remarks were echoed by District Speaker James Ochola, who noted that an improved road network would enhance revenue generation and regional integration between Uganda and South Sudan.

Governor Lujore welcomed the support and pledged to consult with the national government in Juba on implementation. Francis Nono, the Field Coordinator in Transitional Justice at Refugees Law Project, said the dialogue aimed to reduce cross-border tensions and conflicts by strengthening both formal and local collaboration mechanisms.

He reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting authorities in both nations to address shared challenges. “We will continue to support and collaborate with both countries to end these challenges,” Nono concluded.