President Yoweri Museven has ordered the evacuation by road of Ugandan citizens in South Sudan from Nisitu located east of the River Nile, according to Ugandan state media channels.

The Ugandan army has announced that it will be involved in conducting the evacuation of Ugandans trapped in Juba, but denied that their forces will enter the city.

Initially, the Ugandan press office at State House Uganda yesterday denied that Ugandan troops would deploy in South Sudan. “Let there be no speculation on UPDF deployment in South Sudan,” the office stated, citing UPDF Spokesperson Col. Paddy Ankunda.

He added, however, in a later statement on the social network Twitter that a “few troops” will be involved in evacuations to secure the free movement of civilians. “UPDF will not deploy in Juba,” he stressed.

This may mean that the UPDF road evacuation will take place from outside Juba with Nisitu junction used as an assembly point.  

The Ugandan government has announced a hotline for consular assistance in South Sudan. The number is +211 928302044, available for call, text of Whatsapp.

Meanwhile, the UN Refugee Agency says it will assist South Sudanese refugees who are leaving their country to seek safety in Uganda. According to Charlie Yaxley, spokesman of the agency's office in Kampala, the majority of new arrivals will be hosted in the recently opened Pagarinya settlement in Adjumani.