By Baraka John
The Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio has strongly denied recent social media claims suggesting that the Diocese and its bishop, His Lordship Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, were involved in arms trafficking in Tombura County.
Reports circulating online alleged that a vehicle belonging to the bishop was intercepted by the National Security Services (NSS) while transporting weapons from Juba to Yambio, including nine boxes of AK-47 ammunition and eight boxes of PKM bullets. The Diocese has described these claims as “baseless and malicious propaganda.”
In a statement signed by Reverend Dominic Aibie Sasara, Chancellor of the Diocese, church officials rejected the accusations, calling them false, dangerous, and harmful to peace efforts in the region.
“We categorically reject these baseless and malicious claims. Our Diocese and bishop are nationally and internationally recognized for their steadfast commitment to peace, reconciliation, education, healing, and development,” the statement read.
The Diocese warned that such rumors undermine decades of efforts by religious institutions to promote peace and reconciliation in Western Equatoria and beyond. Reverend Sasara emphasized that the Church has never and will never engage in illegal or destructive activities.
The statement also expressed concern over the misuse of the National Security Services’ name and credibility, stressing that national security matters should remain under the control of lawful authorities and not be politicized through unverified reports.
Highlighting the dangers of misinformation, Reverend Sasara called on social media users to exercise responsibility, particularly in South Sudan’s fragile context of ongoing tribal and inter-communal conflicts.
“Words cannot kill us as much as weapons—as scripture teaches, the tongue has the power of life and death,” the statement warned.
The Diocese urged the public, especially the youth, to reject falsehoods and use digital platforms to promote truth, peace, and national development rather than fueling division.
The recent allegations claimed that Bishop Hiiboro’s vehicle had been seized with military-grade weapons and called for government investigations and disciplinary action. However, no official confirmation or evidence has been released, and the National Security Services in Yambio have not publicly commented on the matter.
The Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio concluded with an appeal to those spreading false information to reconsider their actions and called on South Sudanese citizens, government institutions, and faith communities to remain united in rejecting violence and propaganda.