The assailants ambushed a bus and other vehicles on the deadly Nimule-Juba Highway in South Sudan where such attacks have been executed. The Ugandans were traveling in a Toyota Premeo and they were going to Juba for a wedding of their loved ones.
At least 35 other passengers sustained life-threatening injuries in another attack at Moli village, about 140 kilometers from Juba, the capital of South Sudan according to Uganda security forces.
Aswa Regional Police Spokesperson Jimmy Patrick Okema confirmed the death of Ugandans saying that the deceased include John Nigo, Charles Yeka, Rev Yona Mboro, John Paru Loja and James Aliker; all residents of Koboko District.
Ten other people were killed by the attackers who targeted buses and other vehicles.
According to Ugandan security agencies, the attackers were being escorted by members of a joint South Sudan army and police force that guards convoys travelling to unsafe regions.
Two Toyota Land Cruisers vehicles belonging to the National Intelligent Security Agency were burnt by the attackers although the attackers lost two members as well.
The ambush on Thursday is the second this week on the same road after an attack on Monday resulted in the death of a civilian and others were severely injured.
The Nimule-Juba Highway has been volatile since the outbreak of war between soldiers loyal to President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Dr Riek Machar in July last year.
