South Sudan’s government has firmly denied reports that Uganda had deployed special forces to the capital, Juba, in response to escalating political tensions within the country. The denial follows statements from Uganda’s military chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who claimed the soldiers were sent to support South Sudanese President Salva Kiir in securing the city.
On social media platform X, General Kainerugaba said Uganda was committed to “protecting the entire territory of South Sudan like it was our own.” He further emphasized Uganda’s role in safeguarding its neighbor amid rising fears that the fragile peace between President Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar, could unravel, potentially reigniting civil conflict.
Uganda’s army spokesperson, Felix Kulayigye, confirmed the deployment to the BBC but did not provide further details. The announcement raised alarms about the security situation in South Sudan, particularly as tensions between Kiir and Machar have reached new heights. In response to the reports, South Sudan’s government initially refrained from comment but later issued a statement denying that any Ugandan troops had been deployed to Juba. Information Minister Michael Makuei stated unequivocally that Ugandan forces were not present in the capital.
The tensions in South Sudan have been mounting in recent weeks. On Saturday, the United States ordered the evacuation of all non-emergency personnel from the country, citing concerns over the deteriorating security situation. This came on the heels of a series of arrests last week that further fueled anxieties about the stability of the peace agreement. Deputy Chief of the Army and two ministers—who are strong allies of Machar—were arrested by security forces, prompting opposition leaders to denounce the move as a “grave violation” of the peace deal.
One of the detained ministers has since been released, but the arrests followed violent clashes in the Upper Nile region between government forces and the White Army militia, which had previously fought alongside Machar during South Sudan’s brutal civil war. The White Army, a militia group, played a key role in the conflict that erupted in 2013 after a power struggle between Kiir and Machar, leading to widespread violence and the deaths of over 400,000 people.
A 2018 power-sharing agreement between Kiir and Machar halted the fighting and paved the way for the formation of a unity government. However, critical aspects of the peace deal, including the drafting of a new constitution, the holding of elections, and the reintegration of armed groups into a unified national army, have not been fully implemented. This has raised doubts about the long-term stability of the agreement and the prospects for lasting peace.
As tensions continue to rise, the international community is closely monitoring the situation in South Sudan, with many concerned that the political crisis could spiral into renewed violence if the peace deal continues to unravel. The presence of Ugandan forces in South Sudan, though denied by the government, reflects the broader regional involvement in the country’s volatile political landscape.
