SOUTH SUDAN: UPDF Spokesperson Confirms Deployment Of Troops In South Sudan

By Debora Akur Chol, South Sudan

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have confirmed the deployment of their special forces in South Sudan to assist President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s government.

While the deployment has been confirmed, the exact circumstances surrounding the mission remain unclear.

There has been no formal public authorization from Uganda’s parliament for the military intervention.

Tensions between the forces loyal to President Kiir and those supporting his First Vice President, Riek Machar, leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), have been escalating in recent weeks.

Last week, militias reportedly loyal to Machar seized control of Nasir, a town in Upper Nile State, leading to the deaths of several people, including a South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) commander.

In response to the violence, the South Sudanese government has intensified its crackdown on Machar’s allies.

Among those detained are the Petroleum Minister and several senior military officials aligned with the First Vice President.

These developments have raised renewed concerns regarding the stability of the fragile 2018 peace agreement, which ended a brutal five-year civil war.

UPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Felix Kulayigye confirmed the deployment, stating, “The mission is to support the government of South Sudan in light of the growing insecurity.”

He emphasized that the operation is in the interest of both Ugandans and South Sudanese citizens.

When asked about the legal grounds for the intervention, Gen. Kulayigye responded, “Without an agreement between the two governments, this would be considered an invasion.”

He added, “Our forces are already in South Sudan, and the mission will continue as long as security threats persist.

The withdrawal timeline will depend on how the situation unfolds. I am unable to disclose the number of troops involved.”

The confirmation comes after Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, posted a statement on the social media platform X: “UPDF commandos have arrived in Juba to support the SSPDF in the current crisis. Operation ‘Mlinzi wa Kimya’ has begun. God bless UPDF.”

SSPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang declined to comment , and so is South Sudan’s Information Minister, Michael Makuei who called a press conference to dispute the claims.

Uganda has played a significant role in South Sudan’s conflicts, having intervened in 2013 to support Kiir’s government during the civil war that followed clashes between Kiir and Machar.