Uganda warns citizens against danger on Nimule-Juba road
December 17, 2014 (KAMPALA) – The Ugandan government on Wednesday warned its citizens exercise caution while travelling along the Juba-Nimule highway linking Uganda to South Sudan.
Speaking on the situation for the first time, Uganda military spokesman, Lt Col Paddy Ankunda on Wednesday told his country’s citizens to be careful in the area.
“This is a caution to Ugandans using Juba-Nimule road. UPDF (Ugandan People’s Defence Force) and SPLA (Sudan People’s Liberation Army) are concerned and assessing the security situation,” Ankunda pointed out.
“Two vehicles were burnt and one John Tamale injured. Take caution along Juba-Nimule road,” he added.
While South Sudan army has not yet issued a statement, senior officials in Eastern Equatoria state confirmed the incident, but were unsure of who carried out the attack.
Rebels military spokesman, Brig Lul Ruai Koang, said their forces in Equatoria under the overall command of General Martin Kenyi carried out the attack with the aim to disrupt connections between the South Sudanese capital and the bordering town of Nimule which leads to neighbouring Uganda.
“In two separate combat actions, Salva Kiir’s first bloody nose in Equatoria, the SPLM/SPLA forces under the command of Lt Jada Anthony Tibi, attacked, demolished and burnt down three trucks loaded with food items intended for Salva Kiir’s militia,” Koang said.
Nimule-Juba road is vital for the country as it is the only tarmacked road leading to a neighbouring country. Most of the imports to South Sudan of different kinds come from Uganda through Nimule border.
The Ugandan army spokesman, however, said the UPDF would continue to assist SPLA to ensure that the road is secured in yet another military front from the rear.
(ST)