Ugandan Forces In South Sudan To Help Nationals There

BOR, SOUTH SUDAN, Feb 10 (BERNAMA-NNN-NEW VISION) -- The Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) unit deployed in the flashpoint South Sudan town of Bor, capital of Jonglei State will provide food and medical care to Ugandans there.

About 50 Ugandans, part of a larger number of traders who were operating in the town, are still here since having taken shelter from the recent wave of violence at the nearby United nations compound in Bor.

Meeting a group of about 25 Ugandans at the UPDF base in Bor, UPDF Joint Task Force commander, Colonel Muhanga Kayanja, was shocked to learn that there were still many Ugandans there.

"We are close to 50 there. The food rations are not enough, but somehow we survive. They give us water and soya porridge," one of the Ugandans said.

The traders narrated their hair-raising ordeal during the more than three weeks the town was seized by rebels loyal to former South Sudan vice-president Riek Machar.

"Since food is an issue, you can come to the base at any time and we share our food. The same applies to medical treatment. Whoever is sick can go to our clinic and get treatment," Kayanja said to cheers from the traders.

One of the Ugandans told of how the decision by Parliament to authorise the deployment of the UPDF in South Sudan worsened life for them.

"On learning of the decision, we became a target for the rebels. On one occasion a rebel came and stood at a fence and inquired whether there was a Ugandan among us. It was one of the most difficult times for us," said Alfred Sakwa.

-- BERNAMA-NNN-NEW VISION