Ugandan aircraft shot at in South Sudan

JUBA - Four aircraft engaged in an evacuation exercise have been shot at in South Sudan, sources who preferred anonymity, have said.

The aircraft, two Ugandan Mi-24 attack helicopters and two jets of the Bell make were shot at immediately after they left Bor, in Jonglei province in South Sudan with the evacuees.

Two Americans were also caught up the fire and have since been taken to hospital for further treatment.

One of the planes belonging to the Americans was hit and flew back to base with a fuel leak, but did not crash.

On Friday, the Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces (UPDF) evacuated a batch of Ugandan civilians from the ongoing violence in South Sudan.

The civilians were evacuated from South Sudan’s capital, Juba and arrived at the Entebbe International Airport.

The plan was that more nationals would be evacuated from the violence-plagued neighbour on Saturday.

Ugandan soldiers have been deployed in Juba following a request by the country's government to help secure the city.

The first batch of special forces soldiers helped to secure the airport and assisted in the evacuation of Ugandan nationals from Juba, the scene of a week of fierce clashes between rival South Sudanese army units.

Seven Ugandans were injured in the fighting, prompting the Ugandan government to make arrangements for their evacuation along with other nationals.