Ugandan and Congolese authorities are
again meeting in an attempt to resolve their disagreement over a disputed
border point at Vurra in Uganda’s Arua district.
The conflict stems from the international boundary drawn during the colonial
era of 1915.
The disputed area is home to the Lugbara tribe on both sides of the border.
After the failed meeting, Uganda’s Arua district County Commissioner Peter Dibele
demanded his counterparts from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remove
a recently erected barrier in order to pave way for smooth peace talks.
The border conflict flared two weeks ago after some Congolese allegedly extended
the barrier at Vurra customs border post and erected structures
approximately 300 meters into the Ugandan territory.
 |
| Disputed Uganda/DRC border point |
Several Congolese officials stated they simply regarded the area as no-man’s
land and wanted to construct a parking yard.
Leaders and residents in Vurra expressed alarm at the barrier into Ugandan territory.
Then on Friday, Ugandan youth who had organized to retaliate were dispersed by
Ugandan police who fired tear gas.
Closure of the border has brought business there to a standstill with drivers
of transit trucks stranded.