Uganda’s Parliament has given the green light for the deployment of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in South Sudan, a decision aimed at bolstering regional stability and security.
The approval came after Defence Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth presented a motion to Parliament, justifying the deployment on grounds of patriotism, regional stability, and Uganda’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property.
“Uganda has a longstanding role in safeguarding the lives and property of Ugandans and Africans at large through strategic military interventions in various countries across the continent,” Oboth Oboth stated.
The Minister emphasized that the deployment was driven by a spirit of brotherhood, solidarity, national security, economic interests, and the shared historical and regional ties between Uganda and South Sudan.
Parliament’s endorsement followed confirmation from Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba that UPDF troops had been sent to Juba to bolster security in Uganda’s northern neighbor.
Initially, opposition legislators Ssemujju Nganda and Jonathan Odur demanded an explanation from Defence Minister Oboth Oboth regarding the deployment, particularly questioning why it had been carried out without prior parliamentary approval.
In a surprising response, the Minister informed Parliament that he had not been aware of the deployment, prompting Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa to direct the Ministry of Defence to prepare a formal statement on the matter.
However, before the government could officially present its position in Parliament, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Parliamentary Caucus was summoned to an urgent meeting at State House Entebbe, where President Museveni briefed party members on the UPDF deployment.
The meeting resulted in a resolution to support the government’s decision, which was reflected in Parliament when Minister Oboth Oboth formally tabled the motion, securing approval for the deployment.
