South Sudanese Christian delegation on weeklong Uganda visit to promote cross-border peace

KITGUM - A delegation of 160 Christians from South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State has arrived in Gulu Catholic Archdiocese in northern Uganda for a week-long peace visit aimed at strengthening cross-border coexistence and reconciliation between communities in South Sudan and Uganda.

The delegation organised by Holy Rosary Catholic Parish under the Torit Catholic Diocese, comprises government officials from Torit County, including the Speaker of the Parliament of Eastern Torit, the area Member of Parliament, and the Chief Whip of Eastern Equatoria.

Choir members and other church delegates are also part of the group.

The visit is being led by the Vicar General of the Torit Catholic Diocese, Mgr. Rev. Fr.  Peter Ben Louis , together with Fr. Mathias, parish priest of Holy Rosary Catholic Parish.

Mgr. Rev. Fr. Christopher Komakech, Episcopal Vicar of East Acholi, confirmed that the delegation crossed into Uganda through the Ngomorom border post on January 29, 2026, evening.

They were received and taken to Lokung Parish, where they celebrated Mass presided over by the parish priest, Fr. Daniel Comboni, who also serves as Dean of Kitgum Mission Parish.

On Friday, the delegation toured several institutions, including the University of the Sacred Heart, Lacor Hospital, and Alokolum Major and Minor Seminaries.

They also paid a courtesy visit to the residence of Archbishop Emeritus John Baptist Odama, who was at the time traveling to Hoima Diocese.

Further activities, include visits to Alokolum Major Seminary and Holy Rosary Ocer Campion Jesuit College via Gulu University.

The group is also scheduled to travel to Kalongo to pray at the burial site of Saint Joseph Ambrosoli.

The visit is expected to conclude on Monday with a Mass at Christ the King Church.

Challenges abound

Fr. Komakech said the visit follows earlier engagements between commissioners and Resident District Commissioners from border districts of Uganda and South Sudan, which focused on addressing persistent challenges such as cattle theft, killings, and destruction of property.

He added that last year, religious leaders from both sides of the border met at Acaki Lodge in Kitgum and resolved to hold an annual interdenominational prayer event to promote peace.

The initiative is jointly spearheaded by the Catholic and Anglican churches in the Gulu Archdiocese, the Torit Diocese in South Sudan, and the Anglican Diocese of Kitgum.

The peace programmes are co-ordinated by the Justice and Peace Commission in collaboration with the media and church communities of the Gulu Archdiocese.

The initiatives focus on reconciliation, mediation, peace, and justice, with a strong emphasis on grassroots peacebuilding.

Komakech expressed hope that both national and local governments would support and coordinate the initiative and called for its integration into broader regional frameworks such as the East African Community and Pan-African cooperation.

“Although progress has been made in fostering peace along the border, cases of livestock theft are still being reported,” he said.

The delegation emphasized that border development is critical to enhancing trade and economic interaction, noting that sustainable peace would unlock business and development opportunities for local communities.

Mgr. Peter Ben Louis underscored the church’s mission of promoting peaceful coexistence, stating that the church remains committed to dialogue and mediation rather than confrontation in resolving conflicts.

He expressed gratitude for the warm reception accorded to the delegation in Lokung, describing the visit as both spiritually enriching and educational.

Reflecting on his return to a former school where he studied philosophy, he said the experience was deeply meaningful.

He also thanked Archbishop Emeritus John Baptist Odama for supporting the peace initiative and encouraging Christians to become advocates for harmony along the border. 

He urged border communities to embrace peace, noting that meaningful discussions on development and economic growth can only thrive in a peaceful environment.