At least six soldiers were killed in a violent skirmish along the Uganda–South Sudan border, Uganda’s military reported. The confrontation took place in the remote West Nile region of Uganda and was allegedly triggered when South Sudanese troops crossed into Ugandan territory and refused to retreat.
Ugandan military spokesperson Maj. Gen. Felix Kulayigye stated that three South Sudanese soldiers were killed in retaliation after one Ugandan soldier died during the incursion. In contrast, a South Sudanese official reported five of their troops were killed, calling it a “surprise attack.”
In response to the deadly encounter, both nations’ armed forces have agreed to a ceasefire and announced plans to launch a joint investigation. Uganda and South Sudan have a history of disputes over portions of their shared border, despite the ongoing efforts of a joint boundary demarcation committee aiming to finalize the border by 2027.
While there have been occasional minor incidents in the region, fatal confrontations between the two allied forces are considered unusual.
