Ugandan lawmakers request South Sudan apology

September 27, 2007 (KAMPALA) — To show their angry over the mistreatment of their nationals in southern Sudan, the Ugandan lawmakers asked southern Sudan government to apologize about the crowing attacks against the Ugandans, the Daily Monitor reported.
Ugandan legislators have protested against the mistreatment of Ugandans living and working in South Sudan. The bitter MPs also asked the Government of South Sudan (GoSS) to apologise to Ugandans about the increasing harassment by their people and to ensure such treatment does not occur again.
The MPs who were contributing to a report by State Minister for Regional Cooperation Isaac Musumba on the situation of Ugandans in South Sudan, on Tuesday said the Sudanese are treated well in Uganda, which is not the case for Ugandans there.
Opposition Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Reagan Okumu (Aswa) said, "At least we deserve an apology. The Sudanese own properties here and send their children to our schools but we do not harass them. We demand compensation for the victims."
On September 5, the vice chairman of the Ugandan business community in Juba, Anthony Makuyi, was stabbed to death by a GoSS soldier at a market in Juba. Lubaga South MP Susan Nampijja said she has a list of Ugandan women who were raped by the Sudanese. Mr Musumba said the government would engage GoSS to find solutions.
In a report to the parliament on Tuesday the state minister for regional affairs, Isaac Musumba, has disclosed that the government will send a delegation to Juba to probe reports of harassment of Ugandan traders.
He further said that the delegation would identify and address non-tariff barriers experienced by the businessmen. It will also hold discussions with the Government of South Sudan to resolve other complaints.
South Sudan government president Salva Kiir Mayadrit urged Southern Sudanese to refrains from taking revenge on nationals of neighboring countries who have supported SPLM/A during their difficult time of liberation struggle.
However, president Kiir disputed allegation that 20 Uganda citizens were killed in southern Sudan in the course of two years.
(ST)