At least five victims of an attack on a passenger bus along the Juba-Nimule Highway in South Sudan have been hospitalized at Bibia Health Center III in Amuru District, according to Ugandan health authorities. The injured passengers were shot by unknown gunmen during an ambush on the Bebeto Coach bus on Tuesday morning.
The bus, registration number SSD 089Z, was en route to Kampala, Uganda, from Juba City when the incident occurred. The attack reportedly took place between Nyerjebe and Kubi, as reported by Eye Radio, a news outlet in South Sudan. Patrick Loius Lamot, the port health focal point person at the Elegu border, stated in an interview with Uganda Radio Network that five individuals who sustained injuries were evacuated by Ugandan health personnel from Malakia to Amuru District for treatment.
Of those currently receiving care at Bibia Health Center III, four are Ugandan nationals and one is South Sudanese. The injured include one female and five males, all of whom suffered gunshot wounds, while others are in shock. “We brought five people on our ambulance from Malakia in South Sudan and are receiving treatment at Bibia Health Center. There are some people whom we have referred to Nimule Health Center, but I can’t remember their numbers,” Lamot reported.
It remains unclear how many people were aboard the bus at the time of the ambush or who was behind the attack. The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) spokesperson Maj Gen. Lul Rai confirmed to Uganda Radio Network about the incident but noted he is yet to get more details.
“I can confirm that there was an ambush on a bus along Juba Nimule road this morning. I’m being briefed and as soon as I get the details, I will get back to you,” he said.
