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In December 2013, Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers embarked on a critical mission in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. Their objective was to confront insurgents who had instigated what President Salva Kiir termed a “creeping coup.”
The situation in South Sudan had become increasingly volatile. The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), largely comprising former militia members who had fought against Khartoum during the liberation war, faced internal divisions exacerbated by a political crisis. This turmoil ignited ethnic tensions within the military ranks.
Tensions erupted into violence at Atla Bara barracks on the outskirts of Juba, where soldiers from the presidential guard Tiger Battalion clashed. These soldiers, predominantly from the Dinka and Nuer ethnic groups, engaged in combat following President Kiir’s directive to disarm troops under the command of Maj Gen Marial Ciennoung.
Allegations surfaced that Dinka soldiers, particularly those from Aweil and Warrap states, had been rearmed by an officer loyal to the ousted vice president, Riek Machar. As fighting engulfed Juba, President Kiir, forsaking his usual attire for military fatigues, imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew and vowed to hold the attackers accountable.
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Meanwhile, Riek Machar, ousted from his position as vice president, accused Kiir of orchestrating the coup to conceal his dictatorial tendencies. Amidst the chaos, the UPDF swiftly mobilized its forces to support the embattled government in South Sudan.
Led by Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, the UPDF launched Operation Kalongero, deploying a multi-pronged approach to reclaim control. Lt Gen Muhanga, a seasoned soldier with extensive experience in combat operations, spearheaded the mission alongside Brig Ham Kaija Atwooki, who commanded air support operations.
The UPDF encountered fierce resistance from Machar’s loyalists, resulting in skirmishes at Pariak and Gemeza. Despite facing casualties, including the loss of nine soldiers, the UPDF pressed forward, eventually recapturing strategic locations such as Juba Airport.
As the conflict escalated, Bor, a pivotal town in South Sudan’s history, became a battleground. The UPDF confronted the grim aftermath of previous clashes, encountering charred ruins and shallow graves. The scars of past ethnic massacres loomed large over the region.
The roots of the conflict traced back to internal divisions within the SPLM political bureau, pitting Kiir against prominent figures like Pagan Amum. The ensuing power struggle culminated in Amum’s dismissal and brief detention, exacerbating tensions within the military.
The violence in Juba mirrored historical grievances and cycles of revenge, echoing past atrocities such as the 1991 Bor Massacre. Prof Mahmood Mamdani, a member of the African Union Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan, highlighted the ethnic dimension of the conflict, emphasizing the cycle of violence fueled by deep-seated grievances.
In the aftermath of the conflict, the UPDF rewarded soldiers who demonstrated valor and leadership during Operation Kalongero. Promotions were awarded based on various criteria, including combat experience, training, and ideological alignment.
Key figures within the UPDF, such as Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga and Maj Gen Bob Ogiki, played instrumental roles in the mission’s success. These leaders exemplified the UPDF’s commitment to upholding stability and security in the region.
The intervention in South Sudan underscored the UPDF’s role as a stabilizing force in the face of political upheaval and internal strife. Through strategic planning and decisive action, the UPDF contributed to averting a potential humanitarian catastrophe and restoring order in South Sudan.
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