Uganda Deploys UPDF Troops to Secure South Sudan Amid Rising Tensions

Uganda has deployed UPDF forces to Juba, South Sudan, to support President Kiir’s administration amidst escalating tensions. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba confirmed this operation named ‘Mlinzi wa Kimya’. Security conditions have deteriorated, raising concerns for peace following the arrest of key officials. Regional and international bodies are responding, with an IGAD summit planned and the US evacuating non-essential staff.

On Tuesday, Uganda announced the deployment of elite special forces, known as the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), to South Sudan’s capital, Juba. This action is aimed at securing the city and bolstering the government of President Salva Kiir. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, confirmed this on social media, stating that the deployment is part of Operation ‘Mlinzi wa Kimya’ (Silent Guardian).

The recent deployment of Ugandan forces to South Sudan reflects a significant intervention in a volatile situation marked by rising tensions and potential threats to stability. Despite the backdrop of historical conflict, Uganda’s commitment to defending President Kiir’s government underscores an ongoing regional engagement in managing South Sudan’s fragile circumstances. International responses, including those from IGAD and the US, indicate caution amid growing violence, suggesting that the situation remains precarious.

Original Source: softpower.ug