2 Ugandan drivers shot dead by gunmen wearing South Sudan army uniform

JUBA – Ugandan media is reporting that at least two Ugandan drivers were shot dead on Thursday along the Juba-Nimule road by two armed men wearing South Sudan army uniform.

The incident occurred at Nesitu of Juba County of the country’s Central Equatoria state, about 120 kilometers to Nimule border along the Juba-Nimule Highway.

The Ugandan media reports that preliminary police reports indicate that two unknown gunmen dressed in South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) military uniform waylaid the drivers at a roadblock and opened fire at them while transporting fresh food to Juba City.

Zedi Male, the Vice-Chairperson of the Truck Drivers Association on Saturday said that two of the truck drivers who are yet to be identified were killed in the attack and their bodies have been taken to Juba Hospital pending a post-mortem and consequent transportation to Uganda.

Male identified the injured truck driver as Godfrey Genza, 29, a resident of Mattuga in Wakiso district who was driving a FUSO truck registration number UBE 668 K.

Genza was injured on his left upper limb and is currently nursing his injuries from a clinic in Aruu junction which is along the highway.

David Ongom Mudong, the Aswa River Regional Police Spokesperson says that the information regarding the incidents was reported on Friday evening.

He added that a case of criminal activities and armed ambushes is closely being investigated by the Ugandan and South Sudan authorities.

Mudong urged Ugandans to be extra vigilant about the current security situation in South Sudan especially along the routes.

In April this year, truck drivers staged a protest at the Elegu Border Point following the shooting of their colleagues and extortion from suspected South Sudanese along the Nimule-Juba Highway.

Geoffrey Osborn Oceng, the Amuru Resident District Commissioner has called on the East African Community to address the insecurity which is threatening cross-border business.