Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) troops deployed in South Sudan have undertaken a physical training exercise, which included a 20-kilometre route march and mountain climbing, the Directorate of Defence Public Information at the Uganda’s Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) said on Monday.
Earlier in March, Uganda deployed special forces in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, to “secure it”, Uganda’s military chief said at the time, but South Sudan Information Minister Michael Makuei denied the presence of the troops. A Ugandan military spokesperson said the deployment was at the request of the South Sudan government.
The deployment of the UPDF coincided with tensions between President Salva Kiir and his longtime nemesis, First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, which spilled over when a militia of Nuer youths overran a SSPDF base in Naisir Town in Upper Nile State. The tension led to the detention of several senior officials from Dr. Machar’s party and culminated in the latter’s house arrest on 26 March 2025.
Earlier this month, the Awan Chan Youth Union in Warrap State, where President Kiir hails from, claimed each Ugandan soldier is paid $200 per day—a contentious issue in a country where South Sudanese have not been paid for over a year and operate and live in poor conditions. They argued that the UPDF’s presence in South Sudan, under Vice President Bol Mel’s oversight, has exacerbated divisions, mistrust, and political repression.
The UPDF’s exercise was conducted under the guidance of Brig Gen Anthony Lukwago Mbuusi, Joint Task Force Commander of Operation Mlinzi Wakimya.
Codenamed PIGUA UMANDE, the exercise was led by the battle group Commander, Col Bernard Kashemeza. It aimed to strengthen endurance, physical fitness, teamwork, and leadership skills among the troops.
Brig. Gen. Mbuusi highlighted the value of such exercises, noting that routine physical training is not merely a formality or punishment but a key component of operational preparedness.
“These exercises preserve life and ensure mission success,” he stated. “They prepare your body and mind to face challenges as warriors.”
According to the Directorate of Defence Public Information at Uganda’s Ministry of Defence, the training forms part of the UPDF’s ongoing efforts to maintain high operational efficiency and resilience in deployment areas.