KAMPALA, Uganda – The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has strongly defended its ongoing military deployment in South Sudan, insisting that the mission is legitimate, lawful, and has played a critical role in preventing widespread violence and saving civilian lives.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Colonel Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, said the UPDF operation in South Sudan was conducted at the invitation of the sovereign government in Juba and approved by Uganda’s Parliament.
The response follows the publication of a report on February 27 by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, which raised concerns about human rights conditions in the country and referenced foreign military involvement in the conflict.
“The current UPDF operation in South Sudan is completely legitimate,” Magezi said. “UPDF was invited by the sovereign government of the country, and the deployment was approved by Parliament of Uganda.”
He added that the Ugandan military has never targeted civilians in its history, describing the force as professional and widely respected in areas where it operates.
“UPDF has never targeted civilians in its 45-year cherished history. That is why it is extremely popular with the people wherever it operates,” he said.
Preventing Violence in Juba
According to the statement, the deployment helped prevent renewed violence in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, and curtailed attacks by the White Army militia, a loosely organized armed group that has historically been involved in ethnic violence.
The UPDF said its presence helped avert internecine fighting within the capital and stopped atrocities against civilians.
“The people of South Sudan are happy with UPDF operations in the country, which prevented internecine fighting in Juba and stopped the White Army’s atrocities against the population,” Magezi said.
Kampala Rejects Media Reporting
Uganda also criticized media coverage of the UN report, saying some reporting lacked balance and failed to reflect Kampala’s long-standing position communicated to the United Nations.
Magezi said Uganda’s approach to the crisis in South Sudan is anchored on encouraging political dialogue between the rival factions while ensuring that security conditions do not deteriorate further.
“The report is not exhaustive while the media reporting is biased and does not take into consideration Uganda’s positions which have been communicated numerous times to the UN,” he said.
Uganda maintains that its involvement is aimed at preventing widespread violence and safeguarding regional stability.
Background to the Deployment
South Sudan has faced repeated cycles of political and ethnic violence since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011. The most severe conflict erupted in 2013 after a political dispute between President Salva Kiir and his then-vice president Riek Machar escalated into civil war, killing tens of thousands and displacing millions.
Uganda has been one of the most influential regional actors in efforts to stabilize the country. The UPDF has previously intervened in support of the government in Juba and has also participated in regional security arrangements and peace enforcement missions.
Kampala argues that instability in South Sudan poses direct security and economic risks to the wider East African region, including refugee flows and cross-border insecurity.
The UN-backed United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has repeatedly warned that political tensions, delayed reforms, and armed groups continue to threaten the fragile peace agreement between Kiir and Machar.
Ugandan authorities say their intervention is designed to prevent a relapse into full-scale war while supporting ongoing political dialogue among South Sudan’s leaders.
“Our position remains focused on continued political dialogue between the parties, prevention of widespread violence, and securing regional stability,” Magezi said.
