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At least 12 people were killed and seven others injured by Ugandan rangers suspected of poaching in Kidiopo Wildlife Park on Sunday.
The killings reportedly took place when a group of youths from Lorema, Budi County, Eastern Equatoria State, unknowingly travelled to Kideobo, Uganda, for hunting.
According to officials, two of the seven injured are currently receiving treatment at Chukduum Hospital, while the other five are still missing.
Budi chief Lino Atiol told Radio Tamazuj by phone that the incident took place around 7am when Ugandan rangers opened fire on suspected poachers.
Atiol said the suspected poachers were hunting out of hunger and were unaware of Uganda’s borders.
“The men were ambushed when they went there for hunting, killing 12 and injuring two,” he said.
He said people were facing the threat of starvation, so they hunted wild animals.
Charles Longoli, the Eastern Equatoria MP (SPLM-IO) from the region, confirmed the incident and called on the government to sensitize the community about the dangers of hunting in wildlife parks.
He said this was not the first time Ugandan rangers had killed South Sudanese hunters.
Charles Okuru, a civil society activist in Eastern Equatoria and executive director of the Peace Link Foundation, condemned the incident and called on the two countries to resolve the border issue.
He said the South Sudanese government had ignored border issues such as encroachment, killings and detention of civilians.
Radio Tamazuj was unable to contact Uganda’s wildlife management department in Kidiopo for comment.
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