Ugandan among those killed in South Sudan road ambush

Jul 11, 2019

The attackers sprayed the Toyota Noah vehicle with bullets at close range.

Two people were on Tuesday killed, and two others injured in a road ambush along the Juba-Nimule highway. Those who died were part of the seven passengers heading to Juba, when the Toyota Noah they were travelling in came under attack in Orobe village, Lowa Boma.

The United Nations Mission Radio Miraya confirmed the attack and death toll. South Sudanese Pageri county commissioner Emilio Igga told Radio Miraya that the attackers sprayed the Toyota Noah vehicle with bullets at close range. The injured were rushed to Nimule health facilities for treatment. Security has been stepped up in the area. 

The Toyota Noah car had reportedly come from Nimule and was carrying Ugandans. New Vision has learnt that among those killed was a lady from Mpogo Bukholo sub-county in Sironko district who was travelling to Juba to work.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango could not comment on the matter noting it was beyond his jurisdiction, while Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga could not answer his calls.

The Tuesday incident comes amid increased reports of attempted robberies along the same route. 

It would not be the first time vehicles were attacked in South Sudan.  Since 2016 when fighting between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and his former Vice-President Riek Machar, broke out, travellers to and from Juba to Nimule have been attacked, robbed and killed. 

The attack also comes a day after the Government of  Uganda announced it  had contracted Ernst and Young, an audit firm to conduct fresh verification of Ugandan traders who supplied goods and services to South Sudan but were never paid and were forced out.

 

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