At least 48 soldiers completed weeks of intensive training at Bilinyanga in Juba County under the supervision of Colonel Benard Kashemeza, the Battle Group Commander, who urged them to remain respectful and vigilant.
The pass-out ceremony, attended by senior UPDF officers, marked another step in the force’s efforts to bolster its presence and execution of the so-called Operation Mlinzi wa Kimya.
In a statement dated 16th September 2025 and seen by Sudans Post, Kashemeza said the training was critical in enhancing the army’s combat efficiency, capabilities, and readiness. “Training is not for formality but is a vital means for building confidence and ensuring the mission is successful,” he told the new officers.
He stressed that the exercises were designed not as punishment but as preparation for the physical and mental demands of military service. “It prepares your body and mind for that time when it comes as warriors to perform your duty,” he added.
Kashemeza commended Brigadier General Anthony Lukwago Mbuusi, Joint Task Force Commander, for his support in facilitating the program and praised the instructors for their dedication.
Major Nicholas Mutatiina, the Battle Group Operations Officer, also urged the soldiers to uphold discipline, courage, and teamwork as they transition into active duty.
Ugandan forces were deployed in South Sudan in March under Operation Mlinzi wa Kimya—a Kiswahili phrase meaning “Guardian of Silence”, following approval by the Parliament of Uganda.
Uganda first deployed forces in South Sudan in 2013, at the height of the civil war, to secure Juba and protect key installations in a conflict that left 400,000 dead and over 2 million displaced.
While the UPDF highlights its role in professionalising troops and stabilising South Sudan, its presence remains controversial.
Opposition groups have repeatedly accused Uganda of taking sides in South Sudan’s conflict. Leaders of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) allege that the UPDF’s early intervention tilted the balance in favour of President Salva Kiir’s government.
But it is the economic burden of sustaining the forces of President Yoweri Museveni that is taking a toll on Juba. The Kiir-led regime has been accused by critics of paying UPDF soldiers $200 per day while the national army and civil servants are paid meagre salaries that they go for months without receiving.
