South Sudan confirms Ugandan troop deployment in Juba

JUBA – South Sudan’s government confirmed on Monday that it has deployed Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) ‘technical and support’ units in the capital Juba, reversing an earlier denial.

Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth told reporters at the ministry that the deployment was based on a pre-existing military pact between the two countries, originally established to combat the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

“The UPDF is present here in Juba because the government of South Sudan and the government of Uganda have a military pact,” Makuei said.

He clarified that his earlier denial stemmed from the misidentification of an airport in a video shared by Ugandan General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. But Sudans Post had geolocated footages of Ugandan forces to Juba international airport last week.

Makuei who is also the government spokesman emphasized that the military pact allows for the mutual defense of “people, government, and territorial integrity,” dismissing criticism of the deployment.

The confirmation followed statements by Kainerugaba, who said on social media platform X that UPDF special forces had arrived in Juba to provide security assistance to President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s administration.

He asserted that any threat to Kiir would be considered a “declaration of war against Uganda.”

Uganda’s army spokesman, Felix Kulaije, also confirmed the deployment, stating the forces were sent to protect the South Sudanese government.

Makuei had previously denied the UPDF presence, arguing that Kainerugaba’s statements were contradictory.

Makuei warned the White Army, an armed civilian group that the South Sudan government has associated with First Vice President Riek Machar’s SPLA-IO, to leave Nasir County in Upper Nile State or face military action.

He also called on regional bodies, the United Nations, and the international community to condemn the White Army and designate it a “terrorist organisation.”