Minister of Defense Jacob Oboth Oboth contradicted claims of the UPDF’s deployment in South Sudan, made by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and UPDF spokesperson Felix Kulayigye. He called for verification of the deployment due to lack of parliamentary authorization, emphasizing the need for formal communication. Ssemujju Nganda and Jonathan Odur raised concerns about governance and military protocol, with past instances of unauthorized deployments adding urgency to the matter.
The Minister of Defense, Jacob Oboth Oboth, has publicly contradicted claims made by the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, regarding the deployment of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in South Sudan. While Muhoozi and UPDF spokesperson Felix Kulayigye confirmed the deployment in response to escalating tensions between President Salva Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar, Minister Oboth Oboth expressed ignorance of any such military action.
In a statement on social media, Gen. Muhoozi shared a video depicting armed UPDF officers in Juba, announcing that the operation named ‘Mlinzi wa Kimya’ was initiated to assist the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces during the crisis. Kulayigye reiterated that the Ugandan military’s presence in Juba aimed to prevent the collapse of the fragile peace agreement.
During a parliamentary session, Minister Oboth Oboth requested additional time to verify the deployment reports. He remarked that he had not participated in any meetings which authorized the deployment and highlighted the need for formal communication, distinguishing between his legal perspective and social media reports.
Kira Municipality lawmaker Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda raised concerns about the necessity of parliamentary approval for military deployments, urging the Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa to suspend the session until clarity on the matter was provided. Ssemujju emphasized the gravity of casually deploying a national army without proper authorization, as mandated by the Constitution.
Erute South MP Jonathan Odur questioned the government’s control over military operations, suggesting that if the deployment is accurate, it reflects significantly on governance. He urged for a swift verification process by the Minister of Defence, as unauthorized deployments pose serious implications for national resources and military protocol.
According to Ugandan law, any military deployment outside the country must receive parliamentary approval, even during recess. This instance is not unique, as the UPDF previously engaged in military operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2021 without parliamentary consent.
The deteriorating security situation in South Sudan has heightened international concern, prompting the United States to evacuate non-emergency personnel. Recent incidents, including the arrest of key government figures, have been viewed as serious breaches of the peace agreement, adding to the urgency of the political situation that has previously resulted in substantial loss of life since the civil war began in 2013. Despite a power-sharing agreement established in 2018, many essential provisions remain unfulfilled, raising alarms for future stability in the region.
The contrasting statements regarding the UPDF’s deployment in South Sudan highlight significant concerns regarding military protocol and government control. Minister Oboth Oboth’s request for time to verify information underlines the importance of parliamentary oversight, especially in matters of national security. With ongoing tensions in South Sudan and past instances of unauthorized military actions, the need for transparency and adherence to constitutional requirements is paramount for maintaining peace and governance.
Original Source: chimpreports.com
