Ugandan truck drivers and traders are urgently calling on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to intervene following a surge in insecurity in South Sudan that has claimed the lives of two Ugandan drivers. The appeal comes after a deadly ambush on Friday, November 6, 2026, at Chakali along the Kapoeta road, where armed assailants intercepted and killed two brothers.
Fatal Ambush Claims Two Brothers
The victims were identified as Jamil Kawooya, 39, a resident of Lusaze in Lubaga Division, and his younger brother and turn-man, Rashid Kibirige, 31. Kawooya, a transporter who owned two trucks, regularly ferried goods, including sugar, from Uganda to South Sudan. According to his cousin Ismael Ssenfuka, who was a turn-man on the second truck, the brothers were transporting sugar from Kamuli to Kapoeta when they were intercepted. Kawooya was robbed of his personal belongings and shot at close range, dying instantly. Kibirige attempted to flee but was pursued by the gunmen and shot multiple times in a nearby bush.
Other truck drivers who arrived at the scene later reported the incident to a nearby police post. Ssenfuka said fellow Ugandan drivers helped him transport the bodies back to Uganda. The two were laid to rest on Monday, November 9, in Bulo, Butambala district.
Federation Calls for Urgent Government Action
Asadu Musisi Ssentongo, President of the Alliance of Heavy Truck Drivers' Federation Uganda Limited, expressed deep concern in a letter to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, describing the shooting as tragic and disturbing. "This unfortunate incident is particularly alarming because it comes against the background of increasing insecurity in South Sudan, a concern that we previously brought to your attention," the letter stated. He noted that the repeated incidents raise serious questions about the safety of Ugandan truck drivers operating in South Sudan.
Ssentongo recalled that during a recent meeting in Kampala, Dr. Margret Mathya Ugila Labanya, South Sudan's Minister of Trade and Industry, assured truckers and traders of security and protection. "It is deeply troubling that despite the security guarantees previously communicated, Ugandan truck drivers continue to face life-threatening security challenges while carrying out their duties," the letter added.
The federation is demanding urgent engagement with both Ugandan and South Sudanese authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths, conduct thorough investigations, and bring the perpetrators to justice. They also called on the two governments to strengthen security along routes used by Ugandans, provide financial support to the bereaved families, and implement measures to prevent future occurrences.
Repeated Appeals at Joint Commission
During the recent 9th session of the Uganda-South Sudan Joint Permanent Commission held at Mestil Hotel in Kampala, traders, transporters, and drivers raised the issue of growing insecurity in South Sudan and urged both governments to find a quick solution. "The occurrence of this latest incident, which has resulted in the loss of two Ugandan lives, raises serious concerns about the effectiveness and implementation of the assurances given by the authorities in South Sudan," Ssentongo said. He emphasized that this is no longer an isolated security incident. "The growing number of security concerns affecting Ugandan truck drivers, coupled with the latest loss of lives despite previous security assurances, calls for urgent, coordinated and sustainable intervention," he added.
The truckers' appeal underscores the risks faced by Ugandan transporters who play a vital role in regional trade, and the need for concrete actions to ensure their safety.
