Juba – Uganda has deployed elite special forces to South Sudan’s capital, Juba, to secure the city and support President Salva Kiir’s government.
This was announced Tuesday by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Gen Kainerugaba confirmed the arrival of UPDF commandos in Juba under Operation ‘Mlinzi wa Kimya’ (Silent Guardian).
“UPDF Commandos arriving in Juba to support South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) in the current crisis. Operation ‘Mlinzi wa Kimya’ has begun. God bless UPDF!” he posted.
Uganda Vows to Defend Kiir’s Government
Gen. Kainerugaba warned that any move against President Kiir would be considered a declaration of war against Uganda.
“We shall protect the entire territory of South Sudan like it was our own,” he stated, reaffirming Uganda’s commitment to defending Kiir’s administration.
The South Sudanese government has yet to issue an official statement on the deployment, but tensions between President Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar, have escalated, raising concerns that their fragile 2018 peace agreement could collapse.
Background: Rising Tensions and Renewed Clashes
The situation in South Sudan deteriorated last week after security forces arrested two ministers and the deputy chief of the army, all Machar allies, a move the opposition called a grave violation of the peace accord. One minister has since been released.
Additionally, fierce clashes erupted in the Upper Nile State between government forces and a militia known as the White Army, which previously fought alongside Machar during the civil war.
The unrest escalated on Friday when a UN helicopter evacuating SSPDF soldiers was shot at, resulting in multiple fatalities, including a UN crew member and an SSPDF commander.
Regional and International Response
The deteriorating security situation has drawn regional and international concern. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an eight-member regional bloc, has announced an extraordinary virtual summit on March 12, 2025, to address the crisis.
“IGAD remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting dialogue, de-escalating tensions, and securing a peaceful future for the people of South Sudan,” the bloc said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the United States has ordered all non-emergency diplomatic staff to evacuate South Sudan, citing escalating violence and concerns over the availability of weapons among civilians.
A History of Fragile Peace
South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, gained independence from Sudan in 2011 but plunged into civil war in 2013 following a power struggle between Kiir and Machar.
The conflict killed over 400,000 people before the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement ended major hostilities. However, key provisions—such as the formation of a unified army, a new constitution, and national elections—remain unimplemented, fueling tensions.