South Sudanese army denies abducting Ugandan drivers

What the report says

The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces has denied allegations that its troops abducted Ugandan truck drivers and seized their vehicles in Bor town, Jonglei State, this week, according to The Observer. SSPDF spokesperson Maj Gen Lul Ruai Koang said the incidents were instead carried out by armed civilians, not national army personnel, and directed questions about security in the area to state authorities.

The denial follows reports from Ugandan trucking representatives and drivers that armed men, believed by some to be government soldiers, detained drivers and took trucks between Tuesday and Wednesday at Mina and Leudier fish ports in Bor. Those accounts said several vehicles carrying salted fish were taken, some drivers were injured, and others were forced to drive trucks under duress. The Observer also reported claims that some seized trucks were used to move armed youth after unrest in the area.

Koang did not answer questions about why the incidents allegedly happened in the presence of security personnel, saying Bor’s security situation fell under the state government. Separately, South Sudanese outlet Eye Radio reported, citing an unnamed source, that youths returning from a failed cattle raid may have increased pressure on authorities to commandeer vehicles. That detail was not independently confirmed in the provided text.

Ugandan officials, including Amuru Resident District Commissioner Geoffrey Osborn Oceng, urged traders to be cautious and said Ugandan and South Sudanese security agencies were coordinating over the reports. The episode highlights continuing concern over the safety of cross-border transport and trade routes in eastern South Sudan.