Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Museveni praised the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) for what he described as the “resurrection of UPDF lethality in combat and fighting corruption.” While Museveni did not provide detailed accounts of the operation, his comments suggest a deeper involvement of Ugandan forces in South Sudan’s escalating internal conflict.
The insurgents referenced by Museveni are understood to be elements of the White Army, a loosely organized militia made up largely of Nuer youth, which has historically aligned with First Vice President Riek Machar. The White Army was a key player during the 2013–2018 civil war, fighting against President Salva Kiir’s forces.
Museveni’s statement follows a joint aerial bombardment by South Sudanese and Ugandan forces in Old Fangak, Jonglei State, which struck a hospital run by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). At least four civilians were killed, and several others wounded, in what civil society leaders have decried as a war crime and gross violation of international humanitarian law.
The recent escalation comes amid a widening crackdown on opposition forces. Nasir, along with other Nuer-majority areas like Ulang and Fangak, has been labeled “hostile” by the Kiir administration, prompting repeated military operations that have resulted in civilian casualties and humanitarian concerns.
South Sudanese government forces recaptured Nasir on April 17, after it briefly fell to White Army fighters in March. The military success was followed by the controversial detention of Riek Machar, deepening the country’s already fragile political environment.
Although Kiir and Machar have shared power since the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, key provisions—including the unification of the army command and transitional security arrangements—remain unfulfilled. The recent violence has sparked fears that the peace deal is unraveling ahead of highly anticipated elections in December 2026.
The presence of Ugandan special forces in South Sudan has drawn both domestic and international scrutiny. UPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Felix Kulayigye confirmed that troops were deployed to Juba in early March to “guard against a potential rebel advance” and support Kiir’s government.
The U.S. and other international actors have expressed growing concern over Machar’s detention and the rising civilian toll. There are renewed calls for Uganda to respect South Sudan’s sovereignty and for the unity government to fully implement the peace deal.
“This isn’t just about defeating insurgents. It’s about saving the peace deal before South Sudan slips back into full-scale war,” warned one diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity.
As the power-sharing arrangement teeters, observers say the next few months will be critical in determining whether South Sudan stays on the path to democracy—or collapses back into conflict.
