Uganda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of International Cooperation, Henry Okello Oryem, has strongly rejected a recent United Nations report accusing the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) of participating in deadly aerial bombardments in South Sudan.

In an interview with NTV Uganda, Minister Oryem dismissed the findings of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan as “hogwash and lies.”

He questioned the accusations, asking: “Why would Uganda involve itself in killing civilians when the UPDF is widely recognized for promoting peace and stability across the region—from South Sudan to Somalia and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo?”

The report, released in late February 2026 by the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, details how joint aerial operations by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and Ugandan forces allegedly targeted civilian areas, primarily affecting Nuer communities in opposition-linked zones.

It highlights indiscriminate and disproportionate strikes that violated international humanitarian law principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution.

The commission documented widespread civilian harm, including deaths and severe burns from improvised incendiary devices, such as barrels of flammable liquid dropped from aircraft.

Witnesses described one March 2025 incident in Wunaliet—about 15 km outside Juba—where homes were set ablaze, civilians were burned alive (including a boy charred beyond recognition), and an opposition barracks was hit.

Ugandan troops deployed to South Sudan in early March 2025 at the invitation of President Salva Kiir’s government, under a bilateral security agreement, to support the SSPDF against the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), led by Dr. Riek Machar.

At the time, UPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Felix Kulayigye confirmed the deployment was to assist in maintaining stability.

Tensions escalated dramatically after clashes in Nasir Town, Upper Nile State, where local Nuer youth (known as the White Army) overran an SSPDF garrison on March 7, 2025. The incident resulted in the death of SSPDF commander Gen. David Majur, dozens of soldiers, and a UN crew member during a failed evacuation attempt.

This event heightened risks to the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement and sparked war crimes allegations.

A day after one reported attack, UPDF Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba—son of President Yoweri Museveni—posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Uganda had bombed opposition forces, stating: “Our air offensive will not stop until Riek Machar makes peace with my uncle Afande Salva.”

The post, accompanied by a video of explosions filmed from an aircraft, was later deleted.

The UN report points to evidence of “high degrees of planning, operational integration, and command-level authorization” in the operations.

Uganda has consistently denied combat involvement beyond support roles, rejected claims of using “chemical weapons and barrel bombs,” and affirmed it does not target civilians.

In November 2025, the government reiterated these denials.

Minister Oryem suggested possible bias within UN elements against Uganda, stating some individuals may seek to malign the country.

He pledged a thorough investigation and a formal response to the report.

Additionally, Amnesty International and a UN panel of experts have previously accused Uganda of breaching the 2018 UN arms embargo on South Sudan by providing military assistance, including personnel and equipment.

The allegations arise amid intensified fighting in SPLM-IO strongholds, where government forces aim to neutralize rebels, further threatening the fragile peace process and raising international concerns over civilian protection and regional stability.