(KAJO-KEJI) – The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Ugandan People’s Defence Force (UPDF) exchanged gunfire on Monday in Kangapo Payam, located in Kajo-Keji County of Central Equatoria State, according to a statement from South Sudan’s army spokesperson.
Major General Lul Ruai Koang, speaking on behalf of the SSPDF, confirmed the confrontation occurred on 28 July 2025. He reported that both sides suffered casualties during the incident, although he did not provide specific figures or details about the nature or extent of the injuries and losses.
The clash took place in a sensitive area along the international border, where tensions have occasionally flared over contested boundaries and military presence.
Following the exchange of fire, the Chief of Defence Forces of South Sudan, General Dau Aturjong, reached out to his Ugandan counterpart. Both military leaders agreed to an immediate halt to hostilities. They also committed to forming a joint investigation team to examine the events that led to the armed confrontation.
The army spokesperson did not disclose what triggered the violence but noted that the Joint Technical Border Committee, a bilateral mechanism established to resolve such disputes, will continue with its duties. The committee is expected to play a key role in preventing further clashes and finding long-term resolutions to ongoing border tensions.
Border disputes between Uganda and South Sudan have occasionally led to security incidents in areas such as Kajo-Keji, a county that shares a porous and largely unmarked frontier with northern Uganda. Past efforts by both governments have focused on demarcation, community sensitisation, and increased coordination between local authorities.
For many South Sudanese communities living in the border regions, these disputes affect not only security but also trade, farming activities, and cross border movement. Local leaders have repeatedly urged both governments to fast-track peaceful resolutions to the boundary issues that continue to disrupt civilian life.
While Monday’s confrontation did not escalate beyond the initial exchange of fire, analysts say the presence of armed forces near disputed border areas remains a risk factor for further conflict unless mechanisms for de-escalation are strengthened.
The joint investigation and recommitment to cooperation mark an important step in preventing future violence.