Tragedy struck at Kideopo Game Park in Uganda as 12 people were killed and seven others injured by game rangers for allegedly poaching. The victims, youth from Budi County in Eastern Equatoria State, were hunting in the park out of desperation for food. The Budi Paramount Chief, Lino Atiol, reported that the incident occurred when the rangers ambushed the unsuspecting poachers at 7 AM.
Two of the injured were receiving treatment at Chukudum Hospital, while five others remained missing. This incident has sparked outrage, with calls for both governments to address border issues and educate communities on the dangers of poaching in game parks. South Sudanese MPs and activists have condemned the killings by Ugandan rangers, highlighting previous similar incidents along the common border.
This tragic event serves as a reminder of the dire circumstances faced by vulnerable communities and the urgent need for cross-border cooperation to prevent such incidents in the future. Authorities from Uganda were not available for comment at the time of reporting by Radio Tamazuj.