More Ugandans abducted in South Sudan

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UDANDANS | ABDUCTED | SOUTH SUDAN 

Hardly a week after four Ugandan drivers were killed in South Sudan, it has emerged that more motorists were abducted by militias on Thursday (April 1, 2021).

According to preliminary security investigations, in the wee hours of Thursday morning, armed men suspected to be rebels laid an ambush on the Juba-Nimule highway and abducted four people, before setting two trucks ablaze.

Integrated highway Police patrol authorities, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attack happened at 5:00am on Thursday at Moli Payam Magwi county, Eastern Equatorial on the Juba-Nimule highway.

The number of people abducted is feared to be higher than four.

The Aswa region Police spokesperson, Jimmy Patrick Okema, said it was not clear which armed group was behind the attacks. 

The continued abductions and killings have created tension and fear among truck drivers, and the business community operating in South Sudan.

Okema said truck drivers and other stakeholders had a meeting with the Police, Friday and agreed to suspend operations in South Sudan.

“Truck drivers have decided to park in Elegu town council until the government of South Sudan gives them assurance of their safety on the roads,” Okema said.

He said the drivers also expressed concern about extortion on the road to Juba by South Sudan army personnel deployed there.

Okema said there was need for intervention by top government officials, expressing concern of “a likely major demonstration by truck drivers and the business community in Elegu.”

So far, the Police and other agencies have foiled several demonstrations through community policing. 

“This matter should be given special consideration as it may affect the cordial relationship between the two countries,” he said. 

Caution   

 In the meantime, the Government has advised the business community/ drivers and other stakeholders to exercise extreme caution as they travel to South Sudan. 

“Violent crime such as carjacking, shooting, ambushes, assault, robberies and kidnappings have taken place in South Sudan, particularly the Oraba-Kaya-Yei-Juba road,” the statement said. 

Background 

On Sunday, four Ugandan taxi drivers were shot dead by South Sudan rogue militants at Ganji inLanya county, on the Yei-Juba highway.

The dead drivers include Abdul Makanga and his son Kato Ssembuusi, Quraish Mutebi, Hussein Katongole and Mowa Mosekin, a crane truck driver. 

Militants reportedly laid an ambush and killed the drivers at about 11:00 am on Monday. Another driver, only identified as Asadu, was shot and injured.

A convoy of 12 vehicles from Koboko led by Dr Wilson Sanya, the mayor of Koboko municipality, travelled to Elegu border post to receive the bodies of the dead residents. 

Alex Muwanguzi, one of the Ugandans on the state security committee, said the militants attacked Linde military barracks and killed some soldiers, including their commander, Capt. Joseph Majok. 

Aziz Ssendegeya, a Ugandan living in Juba, said the Yei-Juba road is a danger zone and fierce fighting was going on.  Travellers had been advised to avoid the route.

He, however, said tension was high and on Tuesday, the militants shot dead three South Sudan nationals who were travelling on a bodaboda from a refugee camp in Uganda. 

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces spokesperson, Brig. Flavia Byekwaso, said she did not have details on the killings and referred Saturday Vision to the foreign and internal affairs ministries, saying it was a matter between two countries.

Another security source, however, indicated that engagements between top officials of both governments were going on, but the way forward was yet to be reached.   

So far, the number of Ugandans killed between last Sunday and Monday has risen to 11 and it is feared that on Thursday those abducted could be more.

Govt protests attack

The Government has protested the recent killing of Ugandan drivers in South Sudan.  In a press statement dated March 31, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said government, with deep shock and concern, learnt of the killing of Ugandans in South Sudan. 

“The Government condemns,  in the strongest terms possible, the reckless murder of Ugandans,” the statement said.

The statement added that government is working with South Sudan officials to recover the remaining bodies and has appealed to South Sudan authorities to restore security along routes from Uganda border points to Juba.