The Uganda peoples defense forces; UPDF Spokesperson Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda says they are considering evacuating Ugandans from South Sudan if violence escalates.
Fighting broke out between forces loyal to vice president Riek Machar and H.E president Salvar Kirr late last week. Machar’s soldiers accuse Kirr’s soldiers of attacking them first.
The situation was calm by last evening only for hell to break loose again this morning.
The fighting has so far left more than 270 people dead including two Ugandans, Dr. Chandinga Ben, a 34 year old pharmacist who was Oriya village Pakele Sub County in adjuman district, and 39 year old Batele Ceaser who was buried yesterday in Sinveni village, Terego subcounty, in Arua district.
Now, police spokesperson Fred Enanga says the police at Aswa regional headquarters are jointly patrolling the border crossings at Nimule-Elegu, and regulating movements as several attempts to address the conflict take place.
He has advised business men plying the route to wait until the situation is back to normal.
Ankunda told the media this afternoon that “We are concerned about the escalating insecurity in South Sudan and Uganda is already experiencing an influx of Refugees. We may consider evacuating Ugandans from South Sudan if violence escalates.”
The U.S has already evacuated its citizens starting with their embassy employees in the youngest African country.
According to the police mouth piece Enanga, the police at Aswa regional headquarters are closely patrolling the border crossings at Nimule-Elegu and regulating movements as several attempts to address the conflict take place.
Ankunda also maintains Uganda will not deploy its military men and women in South Sudan until an official request is made by President Kirr’s office.
He said; “we withdrew from South Sudan because we had achieved our mission to stabilize the situation and are disturbed by these occurrences. There are procedures to follow and if called upon, we would move in. But right now, UPDF has not crossed"
The UN council on Sunday called upon S. Sudan’s neighbors to lend a helping hand before more lives are lost.
Two UN peace keepers have so far lost their lives.
