The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has requested an additional Shs 39.1 billion to support its recently launched peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.
The request was presented to the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Veteran Affairs by the Ministry of Defence, barely a month after the UPDF deployment in South Sudan.
Last week, Uganda’s Minister of Security revealed that South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, had formally requested UPDF support in response to rising security threats in the country.
The deployment followed clashes in the northern town of Nasir, where dozens of South Sudanese soldiers, including a general, were killed. The conflict involved the South Sudanese army and the White Army militia, a group President Kiir has linked to First Vice President Riek Machar.
The Daily Star however learned that Machar has since been arrested.
Uganda and South Sudan previously signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation and a Status of Forces Agreement on January 10, 2014, allowing UPDF deployment in South Sudan when security threats arise.
According to Uganda’s Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Oboth Marksons Jacobs, Uganda committed to intervening if South Sudan’s instability posed a serious threat to Uganda’s security, with potential regional and continental consequences.
“On March 10, 2025, in line with the Memorandum of Understanding, President Salva Kiir formally requested President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to provide urgent military support to prevent a potential security catastrophe in South Sudan,” Oboth stated.
Following this request, President Museveni authorized the deployment of UPDF troops to help stabilize security, enforce peace, protect lives, and prevent further escalation of conflict.
The Ugandan government emphasized that previous UPDF deployments in South Sudan have significantly contributed to regional stability. Officials believe the current operation will not only benefit South Sudan but also Uganda, the region, and Africa as a whole.
