Uganda has deployed a sizeable number of soldiers from the Special Forces Command (SFC) in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, to calm down the escalating tension.

The recent tension between the South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his Vice President Dr. Reek Marchar broke out a few weeks ago.

Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, announced the deployment of UPDF commandos in Juba in an attempt to protect President Salva Kiir’s regime.

//Some of the UPDF Soldiers from the Special Forces Commanding disembarking from the plane after landing in Juba Capital a few days ago//

“UPDF Commandos are arriving in Juba to support South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) in the current crisis. Operation ‘Mlinzi wa Kimya’ has begun. God bless UPDF!” said CDF Gen. Muhoozi on Tuesday in a tweet he posted on his official X space.

CDF said the deployment was intended to support the South Sudanese Forces against a possible rebel attack to avert a possible re-occurrence of a civil war.

Gen. Muhoozi, who was among the commanders of the UPDF special military operation to protect Juba in 2013, warned that any move against President Salva Kiir would be considered a declaration of war against Uganda.

“H.E. Salva Kiir is the only South Sudanese president that the UPDF recognizes. Since he is Mzee’s younger brother, he is even known as our “Afande” in UPDF! Any action taken against him is tantamount to declaring war on Uganda!” Muhoozi said.

He further revealed that Uganda’s Special Forces had already entered Juba a few days ago to secure the city and fears that a full-scale conflict could lead to a refugee influx and regional instability.

The deployment of UPDF troops comes at a critical time when South Sudan is shaking on the edge of renewed conflict, following the latest clashes between SSPDF and the White Army, a Nuer youth militia that has overrun government positions in Upper Nile State.

President Kiir last week ordered the arrests of SPLA-IO’s Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, and the Minister of Petroleum, Puot Kang.

This is the third time Uganda is deploying UPDF soldiers to Juba.

Ugandan troops were first deployed in South Sudan in 2013 after the outbreak of civil war triggered by the power struggle between Kiir and Machar.

The fighting in Juba was intense, with Kiir accusing Machar of attempting a coup, an allegation Machar denied.

The war left more than 400,000 people dead, but a 2018 power-sharing agreement ended the fighting. However, key parts of the deal remain unimplemented, including a new constitution, elections, and the integration of armed groups into a single national army.