The government of Uganda has rejected allegations made by a United Nations investigation claiming that its troops were involved in airstrikes that harmed civilians in South Sudan.
A report by the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan alleged that joint bombardments carried out by South Sudanese forces and the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) struck areas largely inhabited by the Nuer community, which is often associated with opposition forces.
Uganda’s defence ministry firmly denied the claims, stating that the country’s military has never targeted civilians and that its forces in South Sudan are deployed to help stabilize the country and protect local populations from violence.
Ugandan troops are currently stationed in South Sudan under a bilateral security agreement, supporting the government of President Salva Kiir against forces loyal to opposition leader Riek Machar, who was suspended as vice president in 2024.
The UN report cited a March 2025 incident near Juba, where aircraft reportedly dropped containers filled with flammable liquid, causing fires that destroyed homes and severely injured civilians.
Kampala has rejected the accusations, insisting its military operations remain legal and focused on maintaining regional stability, while denying any use of chemical weapons or deliberate attacks on civilian communities.
Source: Newstimehub
