Uganda Dismisses UN Claims of Targeting Civilians in South Sudan Airstrikes

Uganda has rejected findings from a United Nations inquiry alleging that its troops assisted South Sudan in conducting airstrikes that left civilians dead and severely injured last year.

According to a report by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, coordinated attacks involving South Sudan and Uganda allegedly struck civilian areas, largely affecting Nuer communities in regions linked to the opposition.

Uganda’s defence ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that the report was incomplete, adding that its troops in South Sudan had instead helped prevent fighting and stop atrocities against civilians.

“Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has never targeted civilians in its 45-year cherished history,” the statement said.

Ugandan troops are deployed in South Sudan to support the government of President Salva Kiir against forces loyal to opposition figure Riek Machar, who was suspended as vice president in September after facing criminal charges.

Ugandan military authorities say the troops are in South Sudan at the invitation of the government and in accordance with a bilateral security agreement.

The attacks cited in the UN report allegedly involved the widespread use of improvised incendiary devices.

According to the commission’s findings, a March 2025 airstrike in Wunaliet, about 15 kilometres from Juba, caused extensive destruction when aircraft reportedly dropped containers carrying flammable liquid that ignited on impact.

Witnesses told investigators that several homes were set ablaze during the incident. Survivors described harrowing scenes, saying civilians were burned in the attack, including a young boy whose body was left unrecognisable. The strike also reportedly hit a nearby military barracks believed to house opposition fighters.

The day after the incident, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s top military commander, wrote in a post on the social media platform X that Ugandan forces had bombed opposition positions.

In the post, which was later deleted, Kainerugaba said the air campaign would continue until Machar reached a peace agreement with Kiir.

The message was accompanied by a video appearing to show explosions filmed from an aircraft during an aerial operation.

However, the UN investigation did not determine the full extent of Uganda’s direct participation in the air raids. The report stated only that the operations appeared to involve a high degree of planning, coordination and authorisation at senior command levels.

Authorities in Uganda have previously rejected allegations of taking part in combat missions in South Sudan. Kampala has also denied claims that its forces used chemical weapons or barrel bombs and maintains that its military does not target civilians.