South Sudan and Uganda have agreed to form a 14-member joint investigative committee to probe last month’s deadly border clashes, with its base set in Gulu, northern Uganda.
The decision followed a high-level meeting in Juba on Saturday between UPDF Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and SSPDF Chief Gen. Dau Aturjong.
According to SSPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, the both army leaders reaffirmed their unwavering commitments to maintaining long historical bilateral ties, grounded in mutual trust and strategic cooperation.
“The duo agreed on immediate formation of a 14-man joint investigation committee with equal representation from both armies,” Lul confirmed.
The committee will launch its work in Gulu “soon,” focusing on the July 28 incident in Kajo Keji County, where five South Sudanese security officers were killed in what Kajo-Keji county says was an attack by heavily armed Ugandan soldiers at Bori Boma, Kangapo Payam.
Tasked with producing concrete recommendations, the team will aim to prevent further bloodshed, improve coordinated patrols, clarify border demarcations, and strengthen dispute resolution mechanisms.
At UPDF’s request, Gen. Aturjong is expected to make a reciprocal visit to Kampala, a step seen as vital in rebuilding trust.
Many say the probe’s outcome could reshape how the two nations manage their volatile border, moving from reactive crisis response to structured security cooperation.
