More Ugandans still stuck in South Sudan

Jul 22, 2016

Unlike Kenyans, Congolese and Rwandese, Ugandans are hated by some South Sudanese, who say they don’t want UPDF’s intervention in their conflict.

PICTURE: Some of the Ugandans evacuated from South Sudan recently

As thousands of Ugandans breath with relief after being rescued from the war torn South Sudan, many still remain trapped in the troubled country.
 
The revelation was made by some of those that were rescued recently in operation by the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF. The operation, which took three days ended on Wednesday.
 
In an interview with the New Vision, some of those who were rescued claimed that many other Ugandans were still trapped in areas of Kosa, Tongopi, Wawu and Bolo.
 
Assad Kasozi, 35, one of those rescued, said he has received many phone calls from friends in Boro crying for help.
 
"Boro has thousands of Ugandans settling there. This place is far away from Juba where UPDF did not reach and these people were trapped and could not move to the gazzeted centers to be picked," he noted.
 
Kasozi, who was a fish dealer at Konyokonyo market in Juba, said he lived a few kilometres from State House in Juba where the war started.
 
He said they were attacked by soldiers, who took their money, phones and other valuables at gun point.
 
"We saw children aged between 12 and 16 holding guns. These children would shoot anyone they find along the way. They used to move house to house robbing and would at times rape women," Kasozi added.
 
Rose Niwabine, who was running restaurant in Isola town, says soldiers raided her home, looted food and money.
 
Nuwabine, 32, says unlike Kenyans, Congolese and Rwandese, Ugandans are hated by some South Sudanese, who say they don't want UPDF's intervention in their conflict.
 
She also alleged that many Ugandans are still trapped in Munuki. "This place and many others are too far from the camping sites because there is fighting in between ".
 
When contacted, the deputy police spokesperson, Polly Namaye said that Police is not sure of the number of Ugandans who are still stranded in South Sudan and she confirmed that there areas far from Juba that UPDF could not reach.
 
Namaye said the Ministry of Internal Affairs in conjunction with UPDF may consider giving another chance to those people where the first phase of evacuation did not reach.
 
"The official days of evacuation ended, but ministry of Internal Affairs might consider going deep into those places where we believe our people are still stuck," Namaye noted.

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