The Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) has redeployed troops to strategic positions along the Yumbe–South Sudan border following renewed attacks by South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) rebels.
Last week, more than 15 grass-thatched houses in Komorofe village, Munducaku parish, Kochi sub-county, Yumbe district, were set ablaze, with significant property destroyed. The attack came weeks after about 20 armed SSPDF soldiers crossed into Uganda and established a detachment at Fitina Mbaya village, over a kilometre inside the country.
Security sources say the rebels planted their flag on Ugandan territory, harvested crops from residents’ gardens, and forced locals to flee to Yumbe town. UPDF forces responded by pursuing the insurgents, sparking a gunfight that left one Ugandan soldier dead and three SSPDF rebels killed.
Lt. Nasser Mene, UPDF public information officer for West Nile, said the attackers took advantage of porous and unguarded stretches of the border to launch their raids. He said the UPDF has now increased day and night patrols to prevent further incursions by the rebels, who are reportedly based in Kajokeji, South Sudan.
Emergency relief is being provided to displaced families. On July 28, 2025, an attempt by UPDF forces to initiate dialogue with the SSPDF was met with gunfire, killing one Ugandan soldier and injuring two others.
The UPDF retaliated, killing three rebels and seizing some of their equipment before the attackers retreated into South Sudan. The Uganda–South Sudan border remains largely unmarked for long stretches between Koboko, Yumbe, and Moyo, fueling recurring territorial disputes.
The latest clashes echo a 2020 incident in which four South Sudanese soldiers were killed after raiding Goboro village and stealing livestock.
It is unfortunate that this business of continuously arming African militants AK47 left, right and centre is going to produce civil wars until Jesus comes back to earth.
Lucky enough South Sudan managed to attain independence from main Sudan which right now is embroiled in a brutal civil war of no return.
South Sudan to resume a civil war that wants to involve Uganda is indeed very unfortunate. If South Sudan succeeds to bring back such nasty and stupid civil wars, it will be a simple push over because Uganda itself has failed to embrace universal democracy at its home base.
“South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) rebels”?