Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has confirmed that Ugandan troops have been deployed to South Sudan to protect President Salva Kiir and secure Juba. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he declared that the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) recognize only Kiir as South Sudan’s leader and warned that any move against him would be considered an act of war against Uganda.
“As of two days ago, our Special Forces units entered Juba to secure it,” Gen. Kainerugaba stated, emphasizing that Uganda would protect South Sudan as if it were its own territory.
Gen. Kainerugaba, known for his outspoken social media posts, has previously made controversial remarks about regional affairs. In December 2024, he warned foreign mercenaries operating in eastern DRC, prompting a diplomatic response from Kinshasa. Similarly, Sudan demanded an apology from Uganda after he made threats concerning Khartoum.
This is not the first time Uganda has intervened in South Sudan. The UPDF previously deployed to Juba in December 2013, initially to protect Juba International Airport and assist in evacuations, but later engaged in combat, including battles on the Juba-Bor Road. Uganda’s role in South Sudan has remained a topic of regional debate, with past allegations of the use of cluster bombs against rebel forces.