UPDF says South Sudan deployment was lawful, saved lives
Col. Magezi also said, “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. Uganda’s position is premised on continued political dialogue between the parties, prevention of widespread violence, and securing regional stability.”
The deployment included special forces and armoured vehicles aimed at preventing civil war.
KAMPALA - The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) on Tuesday (March 10) responded to a United Nations (UN) Commission on Human Rights report that accused it of helping South Sudan launch airstrikes that killed and severely burned civilians last year.
Col Chris Magezi, the acting director of defence public information, said in a statement released on Tuesday, that the UPDF deployment in South Sudan had, in fact, saved lives.
“Reference is made to the report of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan published on February 27, 2026, and the accompanying media reporting. The current UPDF operation in South Sudan is completely legitimate. UPDF was invited by the sovereign government of the country, and the deployment was approved by Parliament of Uganda. UPDF has NEVER targeted civilians in its 45-year cherished history, that is why it is extremely popular with the people wherever it operates,” Col. Magezi said.
He added: “UPDF has over the years conducted successful military and peace support operations in Somalia, in Eastern DRC and in South Sudan. 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.”
Col. Chris Magezi
Col. Magezi also said, “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. Uganda’s position is premised on continued political dialogue between the parties, prevention of widespread violence, and securing regional stability.”
On Tuesday, Adonia Ayebare, Uganda’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, said the country would issue a detailed response to what he described as a biased report.
“The so-called UN report on South Sudan that is being used in attacking Uganda was authored by an ad hoc body with an advisory role to the UN human rights council. Uganda was not given a chance to respond to their findings. Interestingly, when they presented their recommendations on South Sudan in Geneva, Uganda was not even mentioned. It is a pity that this light weight and badly sourced is being given oxygen by United State of America Senate foreign affairs committee and others. A detailed official response to this biased report will follow,” Ayebare said.
The UPDF Joint Task Force, led by Brigadier General Anthony Lukwago Mbuusi, deployed troops to South Sudan under Operation Mlinzi wa Kimya to secure Juba and support President Salva Kiir’s government amid rising conflict in March 2025.
The deployment included special forces and armoured vehicles aimed at preventing civil war. Its main objective was to stabilise security, protect critical infrastructure, including the airport, and prevent the collapse of the power-sharing agreement.