Ugandan transit truck drivers call for Gov’t intervention over insecurity in South Sudan

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Ugandan traders, including transporters and transit truck drivers, have appealed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to intervene over insecurity in South Sudan.

Several interviewed by New Vision reported growing insecurity along major routes and highways where armed people intercept, rob and sometimes shoot their victims to death.  

The appeal earlier this week follows the murders of two Ugandan drivers in an ambush on Friday, November 06,2026, at Chakali, along the Kapoeta road in South Sudan.

The deceased were identified as Jamil Kawooya, 39, of Lusaze in Lubaga Division and his younger brother and turn-man, Rashid Kibirige, aged 31 years.

Kawooya, a transporter who owned two trucks, regularly ferried merchandise, including sugar from Uganda  to South Sudan.

His cousin Ismael Ssenfuka , who was a turnman on the second truck, reports that on the fateful day, the deceased was ferrying sugar from Kamuli to Kapoeta in South Sudan when they were intercepted.

Kawooya was robbed of his personal property and shot at close range, dying instantly. Close relatives report that Kibirige tried to flee, but the gunmen pursued him and shot him several times, killing him in a bush near the ambush scene.

Other truckers who arrived at the scene later reported to a nearby police post.

Ssenfuka reports that  other Ugandan truck  drivers assisted him ferry the bodies to Uganda.

Burials of the two took place on Monday, November 09 in Bulo, Butambala district.

Asadu Musisi Ssentongo, the President of the Alliance of Heavy Truck Drivers’ Federation Uganda Limited, in a letter to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described the shooting of two Ugandans as tragic and disturbing.

“This unfortunate incident is particularly alarming because it comes against the background of increasing insecurity in South Sudan, a concern that we previously brought to your attention,” the letter reads.

The continued occurrence of such incidents, he states, raises serious questions about the safety of Ugandan truck drivers operating within South Sudan.

He stated that during a recent meeting in Kampala, Dr. Margret Mathya Ugila Labanya, the Minister of Trade and Industry from South Sudan, assured the truckers and traders of security and protection to Ugandans.

“It is deeply troubling that despite the security guarantees previously communicated, Ugandan truck drivers continue to face life-threatening security challenges while carrying out their duties,” the letter further read.

The federation leaders called for urgent engagement with the relevant Ugandan and South Sudanese authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the death of Ugandans, make thorough investigations and bring the people responsible to book. They also asked the two governments to strengthen security along the routes used by Ugandans.

The federation  also asked for financial support to the bereaved families and put measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.

At  the recent 9th session of the Uganda-South Sudan Joint Permanent Commission, held at Mestil Hotel in Kampala, the traders, transporters and drivers tabled the matter of growing insecurity inside South Sudan and asked the two governments to find a quick solution.

“The occurrence of this latest incident, which has resulted in the loss of two Ugandan lives, raises serious concerns about the effectiveness and implementation of the assurances given by the authorities in South Sudan,” Ssentongo said.

He added, “We wish to emphasise that this is no longer a matter that should be treated as an isolated security incident. The growing number of security concerns affecting Ugandan truck drivers, coupled with the latest loss of lives despite previous security assurances calls for urgent, coordinated and sustainable intervention.”