In a sharp contradiction to the Defence Minister’s earlier denial, Col. Chris Magezi, the Military Assistant to the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), has confirmed the deployment of Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in South Sudan.
Magezi stated that the UPDF acted upon a formal request from the South Sudanese government to prevent a worsening security situation.
“The UPDF acted decisively on the request of the government of South Sudan to avert a dangerously developing situation and deployed forces accordingly. This action is also in the interest of regional security,” Magezi posted on X (formerly Twitter).
His statement directly refutes Defence Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth, who had earlier categorically denied any UPDF presence in South Sudan.
This inconsistency raises concerns over transparency within Uganda’s security apparatus and the government’s coordination on sensitive military matters.
Beyond contradicting the Defence Minister, Magezi’s remarks also challenge the extent of civilian oversight over the military.
He asserted that the Defence Minister has no role in UPDF operations, stating, “The Hon Minister of Defence is never involved in the operational matters of UPDF. His job is simply to represent us in Parliament. Nothing else.”
This claim is likely to fuel debate about military autonomy versus civilian control.
According to Uganda’s legal framework, foreign military deployments require parliamentary approval.
If the UPDF was deployed without legislative authorization, this could spark legal and political controversy.
Furthermore, Uganda’s involvement in South Sudan has broader regional implications. Previous UPDF deployments have been met with mixed reactions, with some regional stakeholders viewing them as stabilizing efforts and others as interference in South Sudanese affairs.
The latest revelation could strain diplomatic relations, particularly with neighboring countries and regional bodies like the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
The contradiction between Magezi and the Defence Minister also raises questions about information flow within the government. Observers are likely to ask whether the Defence Minister was uninformed, deliberately misleading, or whether the military operates with significant independence from civilian leadership.
