In the early hours of Tuesday, Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) and first son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, announced via his X (formerly Twitter) handle that Ugandan troops have been deployed to South Sudan to protect President Salva Kiir and secure the capital, Juba.
UPDF Recognizes Only Kiir as South Sudan’s President
Before revealing the deployment, Gen. Kainerugaba emphasized that the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) recognizes only Salva Kiir as the legitimate president of South Sudan.
He warned that any action against Kiir would be considered an act of war against Uganda.
“We the UPDF, only recognize ONE President of South Sudan, H.E. Salva Kiir. He is our ‘Afande’ even in UPDF because he is the younger brother of Mzee [Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni]! Any move against him is a declaration of war against Uganda! All those who commit that crime will learn what it means!” he wrote.
Troops Securing Juba
Gen. Kainerugaba further disclosed that Uganda’s Special Forces had already entered Juba two days earlier to ensure security.
“As of 2 days ago, our Special Forces units entered Juba to secure it,” he stated, adding, “We shall protect the entire territory of South Sudan like it was our own. That is the will of the Commander-in-Chief!”
Controversial Statements and Diplomatic Fallout
Known for his outspoken and sometimes controversial posts, Gen. Kainerugaba has previously stirred diplomatic tensions with neighboring countries. Ugandan officials have often distanced themselves from his remarks.
In December last year, he made a contentious statement warning foreign mercenaries operating in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
“I’m going to give only ONE WARNING to ALL white mercenaries operating in eastern DRC. From 2nd January 2025, we will attack all mercenaries in our area of operations,” he posted.
He further declared, “In the name of Jesus Christ, the God of all Bachwezi, there shall not be left one white mercenary in DRC this time next year!”
This prompted the DRC government to summon Uganda’s Acting Chargé d’Affaires in Kinshasa, Matata Twaha Magara, to seek clarification on Uganda’s official stance.
Tensions with Sudan Over Threats to Khartoum
On December 18, 2024, Sudan demanded an official apology from Uganda over what it termed as “offensive and dangerous” comments made by Gen. Kainerugaba on X.
In his remarks, he had threatened to seize Khartoum once U.S. President-elect Donald Trump took office.
Sudan’s foreign ministry issued a statement condemning the comments, calling on the African Union and international organizations to take a stand against such threats.
They described the remarks as a violation of international law and a disregard for diplomatic norms.
Previous Threats Against Kenya
Gen. Kainerugaba has also made threats against Kenya in the past, claiming he could invade and capture Nairobi within days. This led to an official apology from his father, President Museveni.
Ugandan Military’s Past Interventions in South Sudan
The Ugandan army has a history of involvement in South Sudan. When civil war broke out in December 2013, the UPDF intervened, initially to secure Juba International Airport and facilitate evacuations.
However, they later took on a combat role, fighting rebels along the Juba-Bor road and retaking Bor Town. Reports later accused the Ugandan forces of using cluster bombs in these operations.
The latest deployment of Ugandan troops in South Sudan signals continued military and political ties between the two nations, even as Gen. Kainerugaba’s statements spark controversy across the region.
