UN Inquiry Exposes Uganda's Role in South Sudan Airstrikes Targeting Civilians
A United Nations inquiry has concluded that Uganda provided critical assistance to South Sudan in carrying out airstrikes that resulted in civilian deaths and severe burns in opposition-held regions. The report, released by the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, details joint aerial bombardments that predominantly affected Nuer communities, South Sudan's second-largest ethnic group, in areas affiliated with opposition forces.
Background of Military Involvement and Escalating Conflict
Ugandan troops are currently deployed in South Sudan under a bilateral security agreement, at the invitation of President Salva Kiir's government, to combat forces loyal to opposition leader Riek Machar. Machar, who was suspended as vice president in September after facing criminal charges, is now on trial for offenses including treason, while fighting has intensified in his strongholds as government troops attempt to disperse rebels.
The UN report highlights that the attacks involved the widespread use of improvised incendiary devices. Ugandan forces entered South Sudan in March 2025 with military hardware such as tanks and armored vehicles, shortly after a militia overran a garrison near the Ethiopian border. Weeks later, Machar was placed under house arrest for allegedly orchestrating the attack, charges he denies, leading the government to rely on aerial assaults to gain an advantage in the widening conflict.
Details of the Attacks and International Reactions
During one attack in March 2025 in Wunaliet, 15 kilometers from the capital Juba, witnesses reported that planes dropped barrels of liquid that ignited, engulfing homes. Survivors described seeing civilians set alight, including a boy burnt beyond recognition, and a barracks housing opposition soldiers was also struck. Flight tracking data indicated that a turboprop plane circling the area during the bombing had arrived from Uganda and was operated by the Ugandan army.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni's son and top military commander, posted on social media that Uganda had bombed opposition forces, stating, "Our air offensive will not stop until Riek Machar makes peace with my uncle Afande Salva," referencing the close ties between the two governments. The post, later deleted, accompanied a video showing fiery explosions from an in-flight aircraft.
While the report does not specify the exact number or nature of Uganda's operations, it suggests high degrees of planning, operational integration, and command-level authorization. In November, Uganda denied participating in combat operations, using chemical weapons or barrel bombs, and targeting civilians. However, Amnesty International and a UN panel of experts have accused Uganda of violating a 2018 UN arms embargo by providing military assistance to South Sudan.
Historical Context and Peace Deal Threats
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has previously intervened in South Sudan's 2013-2018 civil war on behalf of Kiir's forces, helping to turn the tide in his favor. The ongoing fighting now threatens the fragile 2018 peace deal, raising concerns about regional stability and human rights abuses.
