Yirol West lawmaker accuses office of President Kiir of involvement in Ugandan army encroachment

JUBA – A South Sudanese lawmaker has accused “cartels” within President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s office of collaborating with the Ugandan People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) to facilitate the ongoing encroachment of South Sudanese territory.
Bol Joseph Agau, a member of parliament representing Yirol West County in Lakes State, made the allegations Monday during a parliamentary session in Juba, expressing fears over the loss of South Sudan’s territorial integrity. “We might wake up one day to find Juba County listed as a district of the Republic of Uganda. As we speak, Uganda has encroached on the entire Kajo-Keji,” Agau told lawmakers.
Agau claimed that Ugandan forces have illegally occupied more than 200 villages in Kajo-Keji County, Central Equatoria, and Magwi County, Eastern Equatoria. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, suggesting that UPDF operations have extended as far as Raja County, leaving Juba vulnerable.
“Over 200 areas are occupied by Uganda. Magwi County is currently under Ugandan control. To make matters worse, the UPDF is now operating in Raja County. As we speak, they are involved,” he stated.
Agau warned that if these incursions continue unchecked, South Sudan might as well dissolve its parliament and consider itself a part of Uganda. “If the country is surrendered to the Ugandan government, let this parliament be dissolved so that we are the Republic of Uganda citizens,” he said. He also accused elements within the President’s office of aiding the Ugandan incursions, labeling them as “cartels” who have compromised national security.
“They are colluding with the security apparatus, which includes cartels within the President’s office. This country is under the control of the UPDF,” Agau added.
The lawmaker argued that while resources such as oil and minerals may have been mismanaged, the country’s territorial sovereignty should never be compromised. “Do not hand the country over to the cartels. Security should not be compromised in favor of these cartels,” he said.
These concerns echo those raised by Kajo-Keji County Commissioner David Lisi Christophe, who recently wrote to the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) commander, expressing alarm over the illegal occupation of more than 200 villages by Ugandan settlers.