Feature: Ugandans returning to South Sudan capital despite uncertainty

Barely a month since they fled the South Sudan capital Juba in large numbers in the wake of recent deadly fighting in July, Ugandans have started to return to Juba.

They told Xinhua on Sunday in Juba that overwhelming business interests have forced them to make the risk of returning to Juba, the scene of violent fighting between rebels of the Sudan People's Liberation Army-in Opposition (SPLA-IO) led by ousted first vice president Riek Machar and troops loyal to president Salva Kiir.

The intense fighting left almost 300 people killed, businesses looted and displacement of over 100,000 people seeking refuge in neighboring countries.

The UN Security Council (UNSC) on Friday overwhelmingly agreed to send in 4,000 strong additional troops from regional countries to serve as buffer between warring parties and secure the capital Juba.

South Sudan's inflation peaked 663.1 percent in July, more than double that in the previous month amid shortage of hard currency.

Media practitioner, Saidi Jingo told Xinhua that he could not continue to spend time in the Ugandan capital Kampala without pay after he left his job in Juba in the wake of July fighting.

"I found it hard to cope with no pay and work in Uganda. So I decided to return to my job in Juba," said Jingo, one of the several Ugandans who arrived in Juba on a bus from Kampala.

He said he was aware of some South Sudanese who fled with their families out of Juba have since returned to their work stations.

"Some people have stayed in South Sudan for almost seven to 10 years and have established their businesses there. The economic interests and survival have forced them to return," he said.

Another Ugandan only identified as Rose, said she returned to take charge of her business she left behind in one of the Juba suburbs as foreigners exited the capital in droves.

"There is nothing I do back home for a living. I decided to return and take charge of my business," she said while not sure of the safety of her business after a sizable number of shops were ransacked open and looted during the fighting.

Isaac Mashete, a Ugandan bus operator along the Juba-Kampala route, told Xinhua that since mid -July they have been ferrying quite sizable number of returnees to Juba.

However, he conceded that despite a sizable number of people returning, those leaving the capital were more than the returnees in numbers.

"We have been bringing a full bus of people returning but those leaving for Uganda still surpass those coming in," he revealed.

However, he said the Juba-Nimule (125km) road has been safe since we resumed operations after fighting.

Mashete also disclosed that in the past, they were paying loose change at some check points mounted by soldiers along the Juba-Nimule route, but this has since been solved by authorities.

The irony is that this is happening while reports of fighting in areas like Yei within proximity of Juba continue to make rounds adding to fears of violence reaching the capital again, according to Machar's spokesman James Gatdet Dak.

"There was fierce fighting around Yei town Tuesday, as President Kiir's forces attacked SPLA-IO troops in their defensive positions some kilometers north of Yei. The attacking forces were defeated and chased back into the town, as the town has been besieged. Our forces are also in full control of Lasu, southwest of Yei town towards Congo border," Gatdet said.

This is despite Army spokesman Brigadier Lul Ruai Koang having told Xinhua this week the security situation was under control.

"We have been observing peace, only the SPLM/A-IO is divided between the peace wing and anti-peace elements. So far we have not received any insecurity in Wau for two weeks and also in the oil fields," Koang said.

The South Sudan fighting initially broke out in December 2013 that killed tens of thousands and uprooted more than 2 million people from their homes, leaving up to 4.8 million facing the risk of starvation, according to the UN.

Despite the two warring parties inking the August 2015 peace agreement that nears its anniversary on Monday, fighting still continues in violation of the peace deal. Endit