Army spokesperson, Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda, says both parties agreed on a number of issues, which include among others opening of a safe passage for UPDF and those seeking to move out of the country.
Uganda People's Defense Forces-UPDF is
set to evacuate the first batch of 1500 Ugandans from Nisitu market in South Sudan today, URN has learnt.
Dr. Sam Omara, the spokesperson Office of the Prime Minister, says although 2500 Ugandans have converged at Nisitu market ready to be evacuated,
the trucks dispatched by the army can only carry a limited number.
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The decision to evacuate the Ugandans follows recent clashes in the South Sudan capital, Juba between forces loyal to General Salvar Kiir and his first Vice president, Riek Machar. The fighting claimed more than 250 people and displaced hundreds of others.
Although both Kiir and Machar declared a ceasefire, tension is still high in Juba forcing many countries to withdraw their nationals. Some of the countries that have evacuated their nationals to Uganda include Germany, United States and Japan among others.
On Wednesday, a group of UPDF officers met with their South Sudan counterparts at Elegu border post to discuss modalities of the evacuation process. Army spokesperson, Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda, says both parties agreed on a number of issues, which include among others opening of a safe passage for UPDF and those seeking to move out of the country.
According to Ankunda, in the meantime they will use the Juba-Nimule route for the evacuation exercise. He once the Ugandans are delivered safely back into Uganda's territory they will be allowed to disperse to their respective home areas.
Ronald Batre
Freelancer
