3 South Sudanese nationals arrested by Ugandan authorities over illegal entry

KAMPALA – Ugandan police authorities in the country’s Lamwo district have arrested at least three South Sudanese nationals over alleged illegal entry into the county.

Joseph Obalu, James Okulang and Jackson Lukong, all residents of Rumula Payam in the Ikotos County, Eastern Equatoria State in South Sudan, were arrested Tuesday, July 20.

James Nabinson Kidega, the Lamwo Resident District Commissioner said they were arrested from Wang Lango village in Madi opei Sub-county by villagers who handed them over to the police.

According to Kidega, the suspects reportedly entered the country through the bushes at Apiriti border point, which was earlier sealed off by security.

He says upon arrest, the suspects were subjected to a thorough COVID-19 test.

The suspects were briefly detained at Madi Opei police outpost before being transferred to Palabek Refugee Settlement police outpost.

They told the police that they are seeking asylum in Uganda.

The Palabek Refugee Welfare Council LC3 Chairperson, John Pascal, said they were investigating how the suspects sneaked into the country.