Politics 13 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
UPDF Defends Record Against UN Report on South Sudan Operations
Uganda's military rejects allegations in a UN human rights report accusing the UPDF of bombing civilians in South Sudan alongside government forces. The UPDF highlights its disciplined peacekeeping history and vital role in averting regional catastrophe. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/commentary/un-south-sudan-report-the-blackmail-propaganda-therein-5390514
A recent UN Commission on Human Rights report has accused the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) of joining South Sudanese troops in airstrikes on civilian zones in March 2025, targeting the White Army rebels linked to Riek Machar.
The UPDF strongly denies these claims, emphasizing its 40-year record of discipline and human rights respect in missions across Liberia, Somalia, DRC, CAR, Equatorial Guinea, and South Sudan.
Deployed at President Salva Kiir’s request amid a mutiny by Machar loyalists, the UPDF helped prevent a potential genocide and state collapse with dire regional fallout, including terrorism risks.
US Senator Jim Risch, a vocal critic of Uganda’s leadership, called for reviewing military ties with Uganda, labeling it an exporter of brutality. Yet, Uganda stresses its key US partnership in counterterrorism against al-Shabaab and regional stability.
Despite calls for Igad, AU, and EU peacekeepers, delays have kept UPDF essential in fostering dialogue between Kiir and Machar. The force continues broader efforts in eastern DRC, Somalia, and CAR.
This article is based on a report from Daily Monitor (Uganda).