“When the military acts without oversight, who holds the reins of power?”
Uganda’s Defence Minister Jacob Oboth-Oboth found himself in the crossfire this week after the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) deployed troops to South Sudan without parliamentary approval—or even his knowledge.
The move has sparked a heated debate about civilian oversight, military autonomy, and the delicate balance of power in Uganda.
The Controversial Deployment
On Monday, Uganda deployed special forces to Juba, South Sudan, amid escalating clashes between government troops and forces loyal to First Vice-President Riek Machar.
The decision, however, bypassed Parliament and left even Defence Minister Oboth-Oboth in the dark.
Colonel Chris Magezi, Military Assistant to the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), defended the move, calling it a “decisive action” taken “in the interest of regional security.”
He claimed the UPDF acted on a request from South Sudan’s government to prevent a collapse of the fragile peace agreement.
But the revelation caught many off guard. South Sudan’s government denied authorizing the deployment, while citizens shared images of UPDF trucks rolling through Juba’s streets.
Parliament Reacts: “Where Is the Oversight?”
The deployment quickly drew criticism from Ugandan lawmakers. Defence Minister Oboth-Oboth admitted he was unaware of the operation, telling Parliament, “I will have to verify and inform the House.”
Col Magezi, however, dismissed the Minister’s concerns, stating, “The Honourable Minister of Defence is never involved in the operational matters of UPDF. His job is simply to represent us in Parliament. Nothing else.”
This blunt assertion raised eyebrows. Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda called for Parliament’s suspension until the government clarified the deployment.
“This is a serious matter,” he said. “The law requires parliamentary approval for such actions.”
Erute South MP Jonathan Odur went further, questioning whether the government had lost control over the CDF.
“Is the CDF making unilateral decisions?” he asked. “If so, it’s a grave concern.”
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Legal and Historical Context
Under Article 210 of Uganda’s Constitution, the President must seek parliamentary approval before deploying the UPDF outside the country. This ensures civilian oversight over military actions.
Yet, this isn’t the first time the UPDF has bypassed Parliament. In November 2021, Uganda deployed troops to the Democratic Republic of Congo under Operation Shuja without prior approval.
Defence officials later apologized—not for the deployment itself, but for failing to secure the UGX 89 billion needed to fund it.
South Sudan’s Fragile Peace
The current crisis stems from clashes in Upper Nile state between government troops and the White Army militia, a group allied with Machar during South Sudan’s 2013 civil war.
President Salva Kiir has accused Machar of orchestrating the conflict, further straining their already tense relationship.
Uganda has historically played a stabilizing role in South Sudan.
In 2013, the UPDF’s intervention helped broker a power-sharing agreement in 2018. But with the latest deployment raising questions about transparency, Uganda’s role as a regional peacekeeper is under scrutiny.
Key Takeaways
- Lack of Oversight: The UPDF’s deployment to South Sudan bypassed Parliament and the Defence Minister.
- Military Autonomy: Col Magezi’s remarks highlight tensions between civilian and military authority.
- Legal Breach: Article 210 mandates parliamentary approval for foreign deployments.
- Regional Implications: Uganda’s actions could impact its role as a mediator in South Sudan.
