Ugandan authorities are searching for 20 of its nationals who were abducted by armed men along the border with South Sudan last week.

The incident happened in the north-western region of the country, in Yumbe district, during a raid in Lewa village.

Officials there have linked the situation to presence of insurgents in South Sudan, close to the border.

According to Ugandan Daily Monitor newspaper, District Internal Security Officer, Lieutenant Andrew Kandiho said they are working with authorities in South Sudan to recover the individuals.

Ugandan authorities says a security meeting held recently in Yumbe resolved to intensify both foot and motorized patrols by the UPDF and Uganda police along the border with South Sudan.

According to the Daily Monitor, North West Nile regional police commander, Mr Ignatius Otong, says the search for the abductees is also being carried out in Yumbe and Moyo districts.

“The deployment will prevent gunmen from entering the country through the porous border between Uganda and South Sudan,” he said.