Police chiefs from Uganda and South Sudan have Saturday held bilateral talks in Kampala to follow up on the joint operations as agreed in a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2013.
Top on agenda was also the urgent need to restore order especially along the Juba – Nimule road which has recently been prone to ambushes by rebels.
Both delegations in a meeting at Kampala Serena agreed that it was in their interests to create an enabling environment for traders between both countries.
“I requested for this meeting under Article 8 of the MOU between Uganda Police Force and South Sudan Police in 2013 which requires that we hold quarterly meetings and that any party may call an emergency meeting,” said Uganda’s IGP Kale Kayihura.
“We have a situation between the Uganda border and Juba which we can’t continue to pretend isn’t happening. This has led to loss of property, lives and requires urgent attention,” Kayihura added.
Gen. Kayihura noted that ‘robust progress had been achieved as a result of the resolutions of the 2013 MOU but stressed that this needed to be rejuvenated.
On his part, the Inspector General of South Sudan National Police Service Gen. Makur Marol Aduot said; “People are being killed along Juba – Nimule road and my wish is that we can get strong resolutions from this meeting for our two governments.”
“There’s nothing difficult when people join hands. Uganda Police has been very helpful to South Sudan and we like this to continue until we finally get back in our feet,” Gen. Marol added.
The South Sudanese Police chief also apologized for all the lives lost in ambushes along the road which he said were carried out by rebels led by Riek Marchar.
The Ugandan delegation consisted of Asan Kasingye the Director of Interpol, Sorowen, the Director of Special Duties, Fred Yiga the Chief Political Commissar and Grace Akulo the Director CID among others.