Masaka: Family Buries; Father, Son As Ugandan Drivers Snub South Sudan Route over Insecurity

A family in Masaka on Monday this week buried two members; a father and his son, who had gone for a business trip in South Sudan but killed by goons.

The duo; Al-Hajji Abdul Makanga Ssalongo and his Son Umar Kato and one individual were allegedly attacked and murdered in cold blood and their property destroyed by the Sudanese rebels.

Drivers who drive on South Sudan route, during the burial of the duo expressed their discontentness towards the government which they said had not done enough as far as protecting its traders and drivers who use that route.

While attending the burial of the late Makanga and his son yesterday in Masaka, the Ugandan drivers revealed that they have stopped transporting their goods to South Sudan unless the government comes clean and assures them of their safety and that of their goods.

Apparently the Ugandan drivers said that they were not sure of who was really threatening their lives provided that even the Sudanese Army Barracks was just a few kilometers (2km) from where they are being attacked and harassed.

“We cannot differentiate between the rebels and government in fact these have the same uniform as the army, we can’t help but think it’s the Sudanese government behind the mask,” the drivers narrated.

“The rebels first order us to get out of our vehicles, make unlawful search against us and our property confiscated, then burn our vehicles and murder us  in cold blood,” they added.

For the past few weeks Ugandan drivers in South Sudan have been faced by attacks that have threatened their way of life resulting to the loss of their lives and property from the so called rebel groups while transporting their goods to South Sudan

Hajji Makanga had recently recalled his son from aboard where he had gone in search for greener pastures as explained by the family members.

“At first he was working from abroad but when he was requested to work with his father a thing he agreed to because his dad was not in good shape, ” said the drivers

The drivers therefore called for the immediate intervention by both governments sighting that if the Ugandan government does not take the lead seat, they were not willing to go back and trade with the neighbors.

“We are standing down and parking all our vehicles not until our very own government intervenes, they said.  

Adding that they had less trust for the Sudanese army because they were once attacked by them and survived murdered at their own guise

The drivers said they have lost very many lives at this moment but wonder what the president had in mind in spite of always coming to them in times of election and campaigns.

At least five of the drivers from Nimuli- Uganda road have lost their lives and three succumbed to severe injuries since Thursday last week.

Government has since warned its citizens to be cautious, while travelling to South Sudan and also demanded for security assurance from its South Sudan counterpart.