Yumbe, Uganda – August 9, 2025 – Armed soldiers from the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) have once again crossed into Ugandan territory, launching a destructive attack on Komurofe Village, located approximately one kilometer inside Uganda’s Yumbe District.
The early morning assault on Friday, August 8, 2025, resulted in the burning of seven houses and the displacement of numerous residents, escalating tensions along the volatile Uganda-South Sudan border.
According to Lieutenant Nasser Mene, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Public Information Officer for the West Nile Region, the attack occurred in Munducaku Parish, Kochi Sub-county, following a heavy UPDF deployment in the neighboring Fitina Mbaya Village, which had faced a similar incursion by SSPDF forces three weeks prior. “The South Sudanese soldiers struck Komurofe Village at dawn, setting fire to several homes,” Mene told Vision Group’s Arua One FM. “Thankfully, no casualties were reported, as UPDF forces stationed nearby responded swiftly to restore order.”
The incident marks the latest in a series of cross-border clashes rooted in long-standing disputes over border demarcations between Uganda and South Sudan. The Fitina Mbaya area, approximately two kilometers inside Uganda, has been a flashpoint for such conflicts. On July 28, 2025, SSPDF soldiers established a military detachment in Fitina Mbaya, hoisting their flag and claiming the territory as part of South Sudan. When UPDF forces attempted to negotiate their withdrawal, the South Sudanese soldiers reportedly opened fire, killing one Ugandan soldier and injuring two others. In the ensuing firefight, four SSPDF soldiers were killed, and the rest fled back across the border.
Local leaders and residents expressed alarm over the recurring incursions. Toah Mafu, the LC3 Chairperson for Kochi Sub-county, reported that SSPDF soldiers have repeatedly asserted that villages like Komurofe and Fitina Mbaya belong to South Sudan, urging Ugandan residents to vacate. “These attacks are causing fear and displacement,” Mafu said. “Our people are losing their homes and livelihoods.”
The August 8 attack follows a pattern of aggression in the region. Five years ago, in 2020, SSPDF soldiers raided the same area, looting livestock, cash, and other property while claiming territorial rights. That incident prompted a UPDF counterattack, resulting in the deaths of four South Sudanese soldiers. A subsequent joint investigation by Ugandan and South Sudanese military officials led to promises of better communication and control over border activities, but these commitments have failed to prevent further violence.
Fadhil Lemeriga, the Prime Minister of the Aringa Kingdom in Yumbe District, called for urgent action from both governments. “The situation is dire,” he said. “Dozens of our people are displaced, stranded in Yumbe Town without shelter or necessities. This border conflict must be resolved before it escalates further.”
The Uganda-South Sudan border, stretching from Koboko through Yumbe to Moyo, lacks clear and permanent markers, fueling disputes that date back to colonial-era demarcations. Despite the establishment of a Joint Technical Border Committee over five years ago, the two nations have struggled to reach a consensus on border points. In September 2024, Uganda’s parliament urged the government to expedite the demarcation process, citing the growing insecurity caused by the ambiguity.
South Sudan’s military spokesperson, Major General Lul Ruai Koang, acknowledged the recent clashes and announced the formation of a joint investigation committee to examine the circumstances of the confrontations. “We have contacted our Ugandan counterparts to ensure an immediate cessation of hostilities,” Koang said in a statement on July 29, 2025. However, South Sudanese officials have also accused the UPDF of launching attacks inside their territory, including a July 28 incident in Nyainga-Muda village, Kajo-Keji County, where five SSPDF personnel were killed in what local authorities described as a “surprise attack” by Ugandan forces armed with tanks and artillery.
The conflicting narratives highlight the complexity of the situation, with both sides claiming violations of sovereignty. Uganda, a long-time ally of South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir, has deployed troops to support Kiir’s government in its internal conflicts, including against rebel groups aligned with Vice President Riek Machar. This alliance has strained relations, with some South Sudanese accusing Uganda of overreaching and violating their territorial integrity.
As the investigation committee prepares to probe the latest incidents, residents of Komurofe and surrounding villages remain on edge. The destruction of homes and ongoing displacement have left communities vulnerable, with many seeking refuge in nearby towns or with relatives. Humanitarian organizations are mobilizing to assess the damage and provide aid to those affected.
Calls for diplomatic intervention have intensified, with appeals for Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Salva Kiir of South Sudan to engage directly to resolve the border dispute. “These two nations enjoy a largely cordial relationship,” said Hajji Sulaiman Lubwama Bukya, the Yumbe Resident District Commissioner. “It’s time for our leaders to sit down and find a lasting solution to prevent further suffering.”
As tensions simmer, the people of Yumbe District await concrete action to secure their homes and restore peace along the troubled border.
The Malakal Press 
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