In a bold step to strengthen border security and curb the rising cases of livestock theft, members of the Ofodru clan in Arinyapi sub-county, Adjumani district, have offered 4.7 acres of land to the Government of Uganda for the establishment of a Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) detach.
The land, located in Lodudriebwe village near the porous South Sudan-Uganda border, will host a permanent security presence aimed at reducing cross-border criminal activity, especially rampant animal theft that has affected local livelihoods for years.
Speaking during the land survey exercise held at the site, clan elder Lagu Joseph Buni, who represented the Ofodru clan, said the donation was a collective decision by the clan members who have endured repeated losses due to the porous nature of the border.
“For too long, our people have suffered the loss of cattle and goats stolen across the border. We believe the presence of the army here will act as a deterrent because for the past two years our community members have lost more than three thousand cattle including goats.
“Just recently, we have lost 150 cattle that these people have stolen and crossed with it to South Sudan.
“So, when these UPDF are here it will be easy for them to respond to such cases because right now where they are is far from the road, and they have also settled in another family’s garden that is demanding for their land and it will even reduce raping of our women by the cattle raiders,” Lagu stated.
Iziku Andunata, a female councillor in Arinyapi sub-county, said more than twenty of her goats have been stolen. She added that women fear to go to Elegu market because of attacks from the raiders.
“More than twenty of my goats have been stolen and even right now, our women are fearing to go to Elegu market to buy or even sell their goods because they fear being raped by the South Sudanese men who are moving with guns yet it’s not allowed in Uganda for someone to move with guns. So, i feel if this detach is put here, we shall be secured,” said Iziku.
Arinyapi sub-county LC3 chairperson, Seseseko Dominic, hailed the donation, noting that the border area had become a hotspot for criminal activities due to its remoteness and lack of adequate security installations.
“The land was given to the sub-county of Arinyapi in 2014 by the elders of Ofodru clan and the land size 4.7 acres according to the GPS reading. We have chosen to give land for the Uganda people defense forces to protect and reduce the animal theft.
“And again, it prevents illegal entry by animal farmers in South Sudan who are grazing the animal in Uganda when they are armed. Yet it is against policy of Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries and it also reduces the unnecessary crossing of border using the porous route by both citizens of South Sudan and Uganda,” Seseseko stated.
He added, “Normally here the people in Arinyapi loses their animals monthly, from the hands of unknown people who come and steal the animals from the kraal of the communities and takes them to South Sudan.”
Major Maxell Jimlex Mutungi, commanding officer of the 63rd Infantry Batalian in Bibia, thanked the Ofodru clan for their generosity and assured the community of the army’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
“We are ready to deploy once the necessary preparations are done. The army belongs to the people, and this land donation shows that the people trust us to stand with them,” Mutungi remarked.
Construction of the detachment is expected to begin soon after the official procedures by the Ministry of Defense and Veteran Affairs.
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