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The National Resistance Movement parliamentary caucus has upheld the deployment of the Uganda People’s Defence Force in South Sudan.
In a meeting held Friday at the State House, the legislators unanimously supported the deployment of Ugandan troops in South Sudan to support the government of South Sudan.
In a document signed by government chief whip, Hon Obua Denis, the legislators hailed the move as a strategic intervention for peace enforcement to protect lives, restore stability, and prevent further escalation of conflict.
“The NRM parliamentary caucus hereby resolves to support the deployment of UPDF in South Sudan as a necessary intervention or peace enforcement to protect lives, restore stability, and prevent further escalation of conflict,” part of the document reads before adding.
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“To support the proposal for parliamentary approval of the deployment of UPDF in accordance with Uganda’s constitution and the UPDF Act.”
Tensions have been mounting in South Sudan after the government detained two ministers and several senior military officers allied with Riek Machar. One minister has since been released.
The arrests in Juba, coupled with deadly clashes around the northern town of Nasir, are threatening the 2018 peace deal that ended a five-year civil war between President Salva Kiir and Machar’s forces, a conflict that claimed nearly 400,000 lives.
Gen Kainerugaba, who is also the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, noted any move against Kiir amounts to declaring war on Uganda.
"We the UPDF (Ugandan military) only recognise one President of South Sudan, H.E. Salva Kiir... Any move against him is a declaration of war against Uganda," he posted on X.
Ugandan troops were first deployed in South Sudan in 2013 after the outbreak of civil war triggered by the power struggle between Kiir and Machar.
The fighting in Juba was intense, with Kiir accusing Machar of attempting a coup, an allegation Machar denied.