The Commander Land Force of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, called on troops to uphold discipline and professionalism while in South Sudan under “Operation Mlinzi wa Kimya.”
The deployment follows a request by the South Sudanese President Salva Kiir to the Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, seeking urgent support in stabilising the country after renewed conflict broke out.
The briefing was done at the 4 Infantry Division HQs in Gulu a few days ago. ‘Operation Mlinzi wa Kimya’ was launched last week on Tuesday, 11th March 2025 with the insertion of special operations forces units through Juba International Air Port.
Several UPDF task force elements have since reinforced the mission through Bibia, Nimule at the Uganda-South Sudan international border boundary.
While briefing and leading the contingent, which is under the command of Brig Gen Anthony Lukwago Mbuusi, Lt Gen Muhanga reminded the troops of their core mission: maintaining peace and security in the country.
Lt Gen Muhanga emphasised that their conduct should reflect the values of the UPDF.
The troops are expected to reinforce peacekeeping efforts and prevent further escalation of violence in the country.
Renewed fighting
Sporadic fighting broke out in South Sudan in recent days as tension threatens to pull Kiir and Machar back into conflict. The pair signed a peace deal to bring a five-year civil war to an end in 2018.
Kiir’s government detained two ministers and several senior military officials allied with Machar at the start of March.
Dozens of soldiers and a general were killed in the northern town of Nasir amid clashes between the South Sudanese army and the White Army militia, which Kiir has linked to Machar.
Kiir has insisted that he will not allow a return to war. However, analysts have warned that there is a threat of renewal of the conflict.
