The Ugandan government says it is willing to provide full escort and protection for vehicles traveling to South Sudan along the Nimule-Juba highway.

Last week, at least five people were killed and 13 others wounded in an ambush on road.

The incident occurred in Moli area when passenger vehicles traveling to Juba were attacked by armed men.

Juba-Nimule Highway is the main supply route for people and goods in and out of South Sudan.

It is also a primary route for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Juba.

The spokesperson of the government of Uganda, Ofwondo Opondo, says Uganda is ready to provide escorts for all passengers.

He says the highway is an important trade route for Uganda.

“We can help to secure the road, to supply particularly Juba –where the international community is, and where refugees [IDPs] and people who are helpless are,” Mr Opondo told the media.

“It is in our interest that South Sudanese have peace, because when they have peace, they will be able to develop and we shall be able to trade.”

In October 2016, a meeting between South Sudan’s former Police Inspector, Gen. Makur Marol Aduot, and his Ugandan counterpart, General Kale Kayihura, agreed to form a joint police force to restore security along the Juba-Nimule road, and along the Juba-Oraba road, which goes through Yei.

The meeting also discussed the establishment of a task-force to respond to critical security challenges and to pursue criminal gangs along the road.

However, travelers have not seen the presence of Uganda security personnel patrolling the Juba-Nimule highway.