Three Ugandan nationals were Monday shot and injured by armed gunmen along Aruu Junction in Magwi County while fleeing fighting in South Sudan.
Police has identified the injured as Ms Sarah Mohamed who sustained bullet injuries on both legs, Mr Mustapha Nkwutu who was shot in the stomach and Meddie Kizito who was shot on the right knee.
The South Sudan capital Juba has been a scene of fighting for the last nearly one week. The fighting reportedly broke out between soldiers loyal to South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir soldiers and the country’s First Vice President Riek Machar. Reports say atleast 270 people have been killed since the fighting broke out on Friday last week.
By press time, the injured Ugandans had been transported through Elegu border post in Attiak Sub-county, Amuru District and brought to Gulu for medical treatment.
The officer in Charge of Elegu Police Post, Mr Kaisi Gerald told Acholi Times in an interview Monday of the attack and noted that police is yet to verify the authentic numbers of those
shot.
“We got reports that many people were attacked at Aruu Junction, but the information we have is scanty at the moment. However when we get the full details we shall let the public know,” Mr Kaisi said.
Two Ugandans Killed In Juba
Ugandan Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga while addressing journalists in Kampala on Monday confirmed that two Ugandans were killed in the renewed fights in south Sudan.
He disclosed identities of the deceased as Dr Ben Chandinga, a 35 year old pharmacist and resident of in Adjumani District and Caesar Batele, 39, a UN driver and resident of Arua District.
Two Ugandans abducted
Two Ugandan businessmen have also reportedly been abducted following a clash between Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and unknown gunmen from Pajok trading center, Magwi County in South Sudan on Saturday night, 60 Kms from Ugandan border of Lamwo District.
Lamwo Resident District Commissioner Jonathan Rutabingwa confirmed the abduction of the two traders in a phone interview with Acholi Times adding that the duo had been operating in Pajok village for the last two years.
Mr Rutabingwa revealed the identities of those abducted as Mugisha Mathias and Mr George Semucho.
According to Mt Rutabingwa, security reports they got from South Sudan indicates that the gunmen attacked Sudan People’s Liberation Army installation, Police station and a government prison facility in Pajok during the raid before abducting the Ugandan traders.
“We got information that many other Ugandans have been abducted during the raid but we have not yet got their particulars. We are working round the clock with our south Sudanese counterparts to establish their whereabouts,” Mr Rutabingwa said.
He assured locals that the government has boosted security along the borders of Uganda in Lamwo district and other areas in a bid to contain any spillage of insecurity from South Sudan.
Mr Ben Loduk the commissioner of Magwi County confirmed the armed attacks and kidnap of Ugandans. He said the government forces were pursuing the assailants.
Govt Drawing plans for evacuating Ugandans
Police Director of Operations, AIGP Asuman Mugenyi revealed on Monday that Ugandan government is drawing up plans to rescue its citizens trapped in the troubled south Sudan capital, Juba.
Mr Mugenyi who made a visit to Elegu Border accompanied by the Aswa Regional Police Commander, Wilson Kwanya told Journalist at a press briefing that the government is watching events in South Sudan keenly.
Passenger’s stranded
Since fresh fighting broke out in Juba on Thursday last week, hundreds of passengers from Uganda, Kenya and other East African Countries have been stranded at Elegu border as the border remains closed.
Over 800 South Sudanese refuges have so far crossed through Elegu into Uganda, according to records from the Office of the Prime Minister in Adjumani District.
