Four Ugandan drivers shot dead on transit to South Sudan

KOBOKO – Four Ugandan drivers on transit to South Sudan have been shot dead by unknown gunmen on Yei-Juba highway.

The victims have been identified as are Stephen Amati, Dada Abugo, Ali Sonny and Sadam Noah.

The incident is said to have happened between Ganji (Lanya County), 65kms to Juba and Kullipa, which is 58kms to Juba on Yei-Juba road in South Sudan on Sunday evening.

The Koboko Resident District Commissioner, Mr Sazir Mayanja, said the drivers landed in an ambush.

“I can confirm that four people who were heading to Juba from Koboko District were gunned down and their bodies are at Ganji. At least 13 people who were passengers have been rescued and all are under the government of South Sudan,” he said.

Mr Mayanja said they are coordinating with authorities of Yei in South Sudan to rescue those who were abducted.
It is not yet clear which armed group killed and abducted some of the passengers.

Past attacks

In 2009, an Eritrean driver and a Ugandan were hacked to death in Kaya in South Sudan.
In 2009, armed Sudanese gunmen raided more than 500 head of cattle twice in Adjumani District
In 2011, two Ugandan casual labourers were in June severely tortured by Sudanese soldiers over theft.
In 2012, two Ugandan traders were shot dead by unknown assailants.
In March 2021, three Ugandans and five South Sudan fishermen were killed by unknown gunmen from South Sudan in Moyo District.