Eastern Equatoria State officials have condemned the killing of a Ugandan aid worker by unknown gunmen on Wednesday in Budi County.

According to them, Amono Clara, a nurse by profession, was shot dead when the vehicle she was in, a part of CORDAID's convoy of four vehicles came under attack between Camp 15 and Chukudum road in Budi County. 

Greater Kapoeta Secretary-General David Eriga told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that the incident occurred at around 10:30 am on Wednesday. 

“Four NGO vehicles were moving, the last one was shot at killing one woman. She is from Gulu, she is dead. She was in the front seat. People still have to follow the footmarks and establish the facts whether they are Didinga or they are Buya or Logir," he said.

He adds, "Movement cannot be stopped, what will happen is we are going to follow some measures, the usual measures that any vehicle that is going whether commercial we are ready to respond.” 

According to the Eriga, the government plans to provide an escort to all vehicles traveling in such areas to avoid further loss of lives. He said the government is yet to trace the whereabouts of the attackers. 

Patrick Oting Cyprian, the state information minister said the act is regrettable and assured that the government is pursuing the culprits and will bring them to book.

“We as the government condemn it in strongest terms and that is why we are still trying to find those who are responsible because at the end of the day if we can apprehend those who are responsible, they will face justice,” he said.

Radio Tamazuj could not reach CORDAID for comment. 

The officials also pointed out that the government provided an escort to the humanitarian vehicles from Camp 15 to Kapoeta South from where the body of the late will be taken to her home in Gulu, Uganda for burial.

Lopeyok Augustino, Budi County Youth leader condemned the killing and said they will ensure the attackers are caught and justice prevails.

“We as the youth of Budi County condemn this thing in strongest terms possible, we are trying to investigate who did this act because we are yet to find out whether this act is being done by Didinga themselves or Buya or the people from Logir. So we are trying to find out who did the act and we condemn it. We are trying to pursue the culprits until they are brought to book,” said Lopeyok.

Yesterday, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, Alain Noudéhou, condemned the incident and called on the government to strengthen law enforcement along roads connecting humanitarian organizations and communities in need.