Deadly Clashes Erupt Between Ugandan and South Sudanese Forces

Khabor Wala Desk

Published: 30th July 2025, 6:23 PM

Deadly Clashes Erupt Between Ugandan and South Sudanese Forces

Photo: Collected

Violent confrontations have broken out between Ugandan troops and local armed forces in South Sudan, despite Uganda’s long-standing support for South Sudan’s ruling faction. The clashes mark a troubling development in a region already grappling with the fragile aftermath of civil war.

Overview of the Conflict

Uganda, a staunch military ally of South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, deployed special forces to the country in March, aiming to support Kiir in his campaign against rival Riek Machar and militias aligned with Machar’s Nuer ethnic group.

However, the latest confrontation occurred not with rebel groups, but between Uganda’s national army—the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF)—and South Sudanese government troops in Central Equatoria State, near the shared border.

Events and Responses

Date	Event
March 2025	Uganda deployed special forces to South Sudan
Monday (Recent)	Clashes erupted in Kajo Keji County between UPDF and South Sudanese forces
Tuesday	Officials confirmed the fighting and reported multiple casualties and injuries

“Elements from the armies of two sisterly Republics of South Sudan and Uganda exchanged fires.”

It further added that the Chief of Defence Staff in South Sudan had held talks with his Ugandan counterpart to de-escalate tensions and initiate a formal investigation into the cause of the hostilities.

Humanitarian Impact

According to Kajo Keji County officials, the UPDF’s involvement resulted in:

Fatalities and injuries on both sides
Mass displacement of civilians
Thousands of residents now taking shelter in bushes, religious compounds, and local schools

Historical and Political Context

South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, but descended into civil war in 2013 when a political rift between President Kiir (Dinka ethnic group) and Vice President Riek Machar (Nuer ethnic group) turned violent.

Conflict Timeline	Details
2013–2018	Civil war left over 400,000 dead
2018	Power-sharing agreement signed between Kiir and Machar
2025	Kiir sidelines Machar, reviving ethnic tensions

Ugandan troops played a pivotal role during the 2013–2018 civil war, supporting President Kiir militarily.

Controversy Over Chemical Weapons

The Ugandan army has also faced serious allegations of using chemical weapons during its recent interventions. Reports suggest that barrel bombs containing flammable liquids were deployed against Nuer militias in northeastern South Sudan, resulting in civilian deaths.

The Ugandan government has categorically denied these accusations.