Ugandan authorities have confirmed the death of a fisher-woman after eight nationals were ambushed while fishing along the River Nile in South Sudan, officials said on Saturday.
The attack occurred on November 27, 2025, when three Arabic speaking armed men in army-green uniforms, resembling those of South Sudanese rebels, opened fire on the group, killing 39-year-old Joyce Peta from Gbari Village, Metu Sub-county, Moyo District.
‘Three unidentified armed individuals attacked the people in their temporary shelters along the river shores,” said North West Nile Police Public Relations Officer Collins Asea.
One person was killed, and others managed to escape but remain unaccounted for, according to police records.
The survivors, including fishermen Savior Lukaja, Ginya Simon, Charles Kenyi, Nataline Kojoa, and fishmonger Rose Asio, 50, returned to Uganda and were treated at Gbari Health Center II before being referred to Moyo General Hospital.
Peta’s body has not yet been recovered, but her one-year and eight-month-old baby was rescued by a Good Samaritan and handed over to relatives.
Authorities are working with South Sudanese forces to locate the deceased and the remaining missing persons.
‘The security situation at the Uganda-South Sudan border is calm,’ said Moyo District RDC Geoffrey Filbert Ocailap, adding: ‘These Ugandans went to fish about 20km into South Sudan. We are taking steps to ensure the safety of our people and have restricted crossings this festive season.’
RDC Ocailap said five individuals initially went missing, with two later found injured and the whereabouts of three others still unknown.
The district security committee has also intensified border patrols and urged communities to report suspicious individuals.
‘The community has a responsibility to identify wrong elements within their midst and inform authorities,’ the RDC added.
On Saturday, Ugandan officials emphasized that the attack occurred outside the country’s territory- and does not reflect domestic security conditions.
Authorities said they would continue to monitor the area closely and coordinate with South Sudan to prevent further incidents.
Past incidents at Uganda- South Sudan border region
August 2009: Armed Sudanese forces attacked and halted MTN construction work at Jale in Moyo District.
September 2009: Seven SPLA soldiers attacked farmers in Gwere Village, Lefori, claiming the land belonged to Sudan.
November 2010: SPLA soldiers arrested 13 farmers in Gwere village, Lefori sub-county, accusing them of encroaching on Sudanese territory and taking them hostage.
March 2012: Nine Ugandan MPs were held hostage by SPLA soldiers in Lefori while conducting a monitoring exercise on disputed land.
March 2018: Gunmen from South Sudan attacked families in Padiga village, Metu sub-county, Moyo District, raiding 836 animals. During the pursuit, a UPDF soldier was killed.
July 2025: The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) clashed with South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) at Fitina Mbaya and Goboro villages after South Sudanese soldiers allegedly established a detachment 200 metres inside Yumbe District, Uganda.