Ugandan rioters attacks Sudanese after border dispute

September 3, 2009 (KAMPALA) — A land dispute pushed Ugandan residents to target Sudanese national and refugees in the border district of Moyo leading to close the key border post between the two countries.
Soldiers from southern Sudan army, SLPA, reportedly shot in the air to chase Ugandan farmers in Gwere Parish in Lefori from their fields on Tuesday, saying they were on the Sudanese side of the border.
On Wednesday, protesters from Ugandan district Moyo attacked Sudanese national and southern Sudanese refugees in the area forcing closure of Afogi customs Post, a key trade gateway to the Southern Sudan.
Reacting to contain the riot, in a press conference held in Kampala today, Ugandan minister of information, Ms Kabakumba Matsiko, called for calm saying the border row can be resolved diplomatically. She also dismissed reports about the deployment of Ugandan army on the border area.
“I want to assure all Ugandans that Uganda enjoys good relations with Sudan and we shall continue pursuing our policy of good neighborliness. I would like to call upon everybody to remain calm. Any apparent border dispute will be resolved by the government diplomatically,” Ms Kabakumba said.
The Ugandan official also denied reports about the deployment of troops to quell the riots saying “The anti riot only intervened to restore order and calm down the situation.” The armed protesters threatened to cross into Southern Sudan.
Ms Kabakumba also brushed aside reports about the ban of food exportation to southern Sudan due to food gaps in Uganda.
“Where as it is true that there is a shortage of food in some parts of the country and probably the exportation of food could be one of the causes, government is aware of this and is trying to come up with a solution to the food problem in the country,”
Uganda exports corn, grains and coffee through the border post to Sudan. Imports to Southern Sudan from the Kenyan port of Mombasa also pass through Uganda. Sudan is the second leading importer of Ugandan coffee after the European Union.
(ST)