Activist says UPDF presence risks drawing in other externals forces

By Jenifer James

The recent deployment of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) to aid the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) to fight the Nuer-dominated White Army militia, in Nasir, Ulang and Longechuk areas in Upper Nile State, could draw in other external forces due to security fears.

Edmund Yakani , Executive Director for the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), on Wednesday warned the country risks becoming a playing ground for foreign military intervention like her neighbour Democratic Republic of Congo, where several foreign armies are present to help Kinshasa fight insurgents.

“With the unification of forces in South Sudan, what is the justification for UPDF continued presence?” Yakani wondered at a press conference on Wednesday in Juba.

“If this continues, we will become another Congo in the East African region,” he said.

He also referenced recent statement from Sudanese officials, who described UPDF deployment as a security threat to Sudan.

Yakani acknowledged that Uganda and South Sudan have a long-standing security agreement to protect their borders, but also criticized the deployment of UPDF without approval of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA).

On March 18, 2025, government spokesperson Michael Makuei Lueth confirmed the presence of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces in Juba, stating that their deployment is in line with a long-standing military agreement between the South Sudan government and the Uganda government.

This is not the first time the UPDF has deployed in Juba. In 2014 the Ugandan army was deployed to fight alongside the SSPDF against the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in opposition (SPLA-IO) following outbreak of violence in December 2013.