South Sudanese pastoralists invades Amuru district

Residents of Okidi North Village, Okidi Parish in Atiak Sub-county, Amuru district have complained of an invasion by South Sudan Pastoralists of Dinka tribe whose cattle have destroyed vast hectares of plantations on Tuesday.
Local leaders say the pastoralists who are numbering over 200 have invaded the area with close to 3,000 heads of cattle for grazing.
The pastoralists are reported to have crossed from Mugali in Nimule Town, South Sudan and set up a camp about nine kilometers into Ugandan territory.
The invasion comes barely days after armed south Sudanese militia who have since been repelled by Ugandan army invaded Apuk and Yoke villages in Lokung Sub-county, Lamwo District last Friday claiming ownership of the land.
The Chairperson LCIII Atiak Sub-County, Mr John Bosco Ocan on Wednesday told Acholi Times in an interview that close to 100 households have been affected by the invasion of the Dinka pastoralists adding that their presence is threatening security in the district.
“We responded on Wednesday when we got the reports of the incursion, we found out there were great damages left behind after the cattle passed in people’s gardens.  We need the district security team to intervene into the matter before it escalates into a war,”
He added that they have got intelligent reports that the pastoralists who are also armed have set up their bases nine kilometer in Amuru district from the south Sudan border and have left their cattle to graze in the area freely.
“This is not the first time we are experiencing such invasion by the pastoralists. In May the same thing happened and this time our locals have been provoked and if the situation is not settled out, clashes between the two tribes may erupt,”
He also expressed fears that, since the farmers are farming in long distances and security had not yet responded, vast chunks of farmland may end up being destroyed posing threats of famine in the region.
One of the affected farmers, Mr Erick Oketch, 53 reported that he lost five hectares of simsim crop after cattle numbering 1,000 passed through it on Tuesday afternoon.
The Chairperson LCV Amuru district, Mr Anthony Atube Omach confirmed the presence of the south Sudanese in his area arguing that they are grazing their cattle along Aswa river bank in Ugandan territory.
“Their presence in the area is a security threat. We call upon the government to intervene. These pastoralists normally move with guns and it’s the same guns they use for intimidating the locals to vacate the area,” says Mr Omach.
Mr David Eriga, Nimule Town Clerk, in a telephone interview however noted that he received reports about the invasion of pastoralists from his side but noted that they were still in talks with leaders in Amuru to find out the reality.
“It’s true I was notified about the matter, however at this time, we have scheduled to meet with leaders to iron out the issue and also find out ways of driving them out if at all they have invaded Amuru district,”
The 4th Division Public Relations officer, Cpt Caesar Olweny when contacted however said he wasn’t aware of the incursion by the pastoralists but promised to follow it up.