A Ugandan Truck driver was shot dead on Friday morning while his turn man was injured by suspected gunmen between Tseretenya and Ikotos town, Ikotos County in Imatong State, about 20 kilometers from the South Sudan-Ugandan border.
An unspecified amounts of cash and merchandizes worth millions of shillings was reportedly looted by the atackers before fleeingrmed assailants.
The deceased has been identified as Mr Musa Bunya while the injured is Mr Jackson Kiyaga.
Mr Kiyaga is currently admitted in critical condition at Isoke Hospital in Ikotos Town, South Sudan.
It is reported that the duo were from Lira District heading to South Sudan through Lamwo District to deliver maize to Ugandan traders in Ikotos County.
Lamwo District Resident District Commissioner Mr Jonathan Rutabingwa, in a phone interview, confirmed the incident to Acholi Times on Monday saying it was a regrettable act committed by lawless criminals.
Mr Rutabingwa said the Body of Mr Bunya was handed over to Immigration officials at Madi-Opei Border post in Lamwo district on Sunday adding that it is being kept at Madi-Opei Health Center III mortuary.
The RDC said they are waiting for the relatives of the deceased to pick his body.
He said the incidence is one of the very many problems Ugandan drivers and traders are going through in the hands of armed elements once they cross into South Sudan.
“We condemn such brutal killings targeted at our Ugandan drivers and traders; this is not the first time the traders have been attacked. We call upon the South Sudanese security officials to ensure safety of the people as done to their nationals in Uganda,” Mr Rutabingwa said.
He noted that a tentative cross border meeting has already been arranged between the South Sudanese officials and those from Uganda to ensure safety for drivers and traders entering Imatong State.
The RDC added that numerous resolutions were made in the past for the South Sudanese government to ensure tight security at the porous highways but nothing has been implemented leaving Ugandan nationals at risks of attacks.
Ugandan traders and drivers have on numerous occasions complained of attacks by South Sudanese armed men who particularly ambush them on the major highways.
Early last month, truck drivers from the East African Countries staged a four days strike at the Ugandan border point at Elegu in Atiak Sub-county Amuru district refusing to enter South Sudan alleging that they are being targeted by armed men.
Following the strike an impromptu meeting was held at Royal Palace Hotel Ltd in Nimule town where the Deputy Director General of South Sudan’s Custom Services Gen Dominic Ding Agar pledged to offer tight security for the drivers.
In March last year, Mr Magidu Amati 20, a Ugandan businessman was killed by unknown thugs in Aruu Junction in Juba County, Central Equatorial South S.
