Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said Saturday that South Sudan’s army, backed by Ugandan forces, had “quickly defeated” insurgents who captured the town of Nasir and threatened other areas.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Museveni congratulated Uganda’s military for what he called the “resurrection of UPDF lethality in combat and fighting corruption.” He did not provide further details on the operation.
Museveni was alluding to the White Army, a loosely organized militia primarily from the Nuer ethnic group. The White Army fought alongside forces loyal to South Sudan’s First Vice President Riek Machar during the country’s 2013-2018 civil war.
Machar, who was detained last month, has been accused by President Salva Kiir’s faction of maintaining ties with the group.
Museveni’s statement came hours after South Sudanese and Ugandan forces conducted aerial bombardments in Old Fangak, Jonglei State, targeting a hospital run by Doctors Without Borders (MSF). At least four people were killed, and several others were wounded.
The area is among nine Nuer-majority counties labeled as “hostile” by Kiir’s government. Similar bombings in Nasir and Ulang counties in recent weeks also resulted in civilian casualties before government forces retook control.
South Sudan’s army recaptured Nasir on April 17 after losing it to the White Army in March. The clashes deepened a political crisis, leading to Machar’s arrest.
Kiir and Machar have shared power in a fragile unity government since a 2018 peace deal ended a civil war that killed hundreds of thousands. However, key provisions, including unifying the army command, remain unfulfilled.
Uganda deployed troops to South Sudan in early March to support Kiir’s government amid rising tensions with Machar. Ugandan military spokesperson Maj. Gen. Felix Kulayigye confirmed the deployment, saying special forces were sent to Juba to guard against a potential rebel advance.
Kiir faces mounting pressure from the U.S. and other Western nations to release Machar, implement the peace agreement, and prepare for long-delayed elections set for December 2026.
Uganda has played a key role in South Sudan’s conflicts, including intervening in 2013 to support Kiir during the civil war.