Minister of Defense Jacob Oboth denied knowledge of UPDF deployment in South Sudan, contradicting military leadership affirmations. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and UPDF spokesperson Felix Kulayigye had confirmed the deployment to assist in rising tensions in the region. Oboth’s denial raised concerns regarding governance and the constitutional requirement for parliamentary approval on military engagements.
Minister of Defense Jacob Oboth Oboth has publicly contradicted claims made by Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and UPDF spokesperson Felix Kulayigye regarding the deployment of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in South Sudan. While Muhoozi and Kulayigye confirmed the military’s presence in light of rising tensions between President Salva Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar, Oboth expressed a lack of awareness, requesting verification on the matter.
In a social media update, Gen. Muhoozi released footage of UPDF officers arriving in Juba to assist the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF). He announced the commencement of Operation ‘Mlinzi wa Kimya.’ Moreover, Kulayigye highlighted that the intent of military deployment is to maintain peace and prevent the failure of the tenuous peace agreement between Kiir and Machar.
Oboth addressed Parliament, stating that he had no participation in any decision regarding the UPDF’s deployment and asked for additional time to investigate the situation. His comments came in response to Kira Municipality lawmaker Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, who demanded suspension of the parliamentary session until the government clarified the actions taken without authorized approval.
Ssemujju emphasized that deploying a national military should not be underplayed. He referenced the Constitution, which mandates that military action receives full parliamentary authorization, even requiring reconvening if the Parliament is not in session. His demands for clarity echoed concerns around governance and accountability.
Erute South MP Jonathan Odur raised further concerns questioning whether the government had lost control over the Chief of Defence Forces, insinuating that such disarray could allow for the reported deployment to proceed unnoticed. Odur emphasized the dire implications of military deployment decisions and called for swift verification from Minister Oboth.
Historically, this situation is not unprecedented. There have been past instances where UPDF operations occurred without parliamentary consent, notably the deployment in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in late 2021 for ongoing operations against local insurgent groups.
Amidst these events, escalating security concerns in South Sudan have resulted in the U.S. ordering the evacuation of non-emergency staff. Recent political turbulence in South Sudan included the arrest of key officials aligned with Machar and ongoing violent clashes fueled by past grievances, complicating the fragile peace established after years of civil conflict. Despite a 2018 power-sharing agreement, key aspects remain unfulfilled, raising alarms over a potential return to widespread violence.
The recent denial by Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth regarding UPDF deployment in South Sudan underscores the need for transparency in military actions. The contrasting statements from military leadership reflect a concerning disorganization within the Ugandan defense establishment. It is imperative that such deployments adhere strictly to constitutional mandates requiring parliamentary approval to ensure accountability and prevent potential escalation of conflict in the region. Historical precedents highlight ongoing challenges faced by the Ugandan government concerning adherence to legal protocols in military engagement abroad, thus necessitating a reevaluation of governance in defense matters.
Original Source: chimpreports.com
