‘Stray’ bullet kills woman as South Sudan rebel clashes spill into Uganda

What the report says

A South Sudanese woman living in Uganda was killed by a stray bullet during fighting between rival factions of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) near the Uganda–South Sudan border in Koboko district, according to Ugandan police. The Observer reported that the incident took place on Thursday morning in the Mungujayi area, close to the border, and that the victim was identified as 45-year-old Roba Jerina. Police said the bullet struck her on the Ugandan side while the clashes were intensifying across the border.

The fighting also drove four suspected SPLA-IO combatants into Uganda through the Kuluba border area, where they were intercepted by Uganda security forces and arrested. Koboko district police said a UPDF foot patrol detained the men around 1 p.m. and took them to Koboko Central Police Station. Two of the suspects were reported to have injuries from the clashes.

Authorities have increased patrols along the border as they try to stop instability in South Sudan from spreading into Uganda. In a separate development, police also said a submachine gun and 31 rounds of ammunition were recovered in the same general area a day earlier, after a resident found the weapon while clearing land. The firearm was taken as evidence while investigations continued.