A local military commander in Kajo-Keji County has accused Ugandans of digging a road in Apaya without notifying local authorities, warning that the activity could trigger tensions along the South Sudan-Uganda border.
In a video circulating online, the commander is seen questioning a Ugandan citizen found walking with a bag on his back along the newly opened road while soldiers conduct a patrol in the area.
The commander says he discovered the road construction while moving with his troops and questioned why the work was taking place along a route where his forces regularly patrol.
“This is the place called Apaya. So now they are digging the road around here without the notice of anyone, without our information,” he says.
He links the construction to an earlier incident involving the alleged seizure of cattle in the area, warning that the developments could lead to confrontation.
“Last time they were taking cattle, and now they are digging the road. Which means they are looking for problems. So I want the international community to hear us,” the commander says.
He questions who would be held responsible if fighting broke out over the road construction.
“When I used to move to patrol here, this is my place. I am moving with patrol, and the organisers are digging their road on it. When you fight here, then who will be responsible for it? It is not good at all,” he says.
The commander calls on the South Sudanese government to clarify whether Ugandans had been authorised to construct the road, saying he would withdraw his forces if the work had official approval.
“I want to get the report from our government that you leave the Uganda to dig the road. Then I leave. It is not my concern because it is the place where I am doing the patrol,” he says.
He insists that his concerns are based on evidence rather than political interests, adding that soldiers on the ground could bear the consequences of decisions made by politicians.
“Because we are not a politician. We can die here when we are not a politician. The politicians will bring the things here,” he says.
The commander appeals to the East African Community and the international community to pay attention to the situation and calls for clarification from the relevant authorities.
The video does not independently establish the authorisation status of the road construction or the involvement of the Ugandan citizen questioned by the soldiers. The allegations regarding the earlier cattle incident have also not been independently verified.
No response from the South Sudanese or Ugandan authorities was included in the video.
The post Kajo-Keji commander questions Uganda over new road construction in Apaya first appeared on Eye Radio.