By Adiga Julius
Government will urgently engage South Sudan at both ministerial and heads of state levels to protect Ugandan lives and trade following the latest ambush on cross-border travelers, Parliament has heard.
Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister (General Duties), speaking on behalf of Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, the Prime Minister and Leader of Government Business, told the House on Thursday that Uganda would step up diplomatic and security cooperation to curb the recurring attacks.
The government will engage counterparts in Juba to ensure Ugandans are protected both along the routes and inside South Sudan. We shall also strengthen cooperation so that these unfortunate killings are stopped,” Lumumba assured legislators.
She added, “It is very unfortunate that we have lost lives, yet we are brothers and sisters with only artificial boundaries in between. Such incidents had stopped, but now they are happening again. Government will engage South Sudan so that lives and trade are safeguarded.”
Lumumba’s remarks came in response to a matter of national importance raised by Koboko Municipality MP, Dr. Charles Ayume, who expressed concern over the growing insecurity along trade routes to South Sudan.
Ayume cited the September 9th ambush on a commuter taxi traveling from Koboko to Juba, where two Ugandans, identified as Innocent Metaloro and a woman only named Ksania, were shot dead by unknown gunmen.
“Every six months, we register such ambushes, but the government has no answers for grieving families. My prayer is that our embassy takes interest in following up these cases and that governments on both sides strengthen security, especially along Kaya–Yei and Nimule–Juba roads,” Ayume told Parliament.
Obongi County MP, Dr. George Bhoka Didi, also condemned the killings, noting that the attack happened just 200 meters from a South Sudan People’s Army installation. He appealed to the government to protect Ugandans traveling to and within Juba.
Uganda remains one of South Sudan’s largest trade partners, with border districts such as Koboko hosting thousands of South Sudanese refugees while relying heavily on cross-border business.
