By Dean Lubowa Saava
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has returned to Uganda after a two-day official visit to South Sudan, where he met with President Salva Kiir to discuss peace restoration efforts.
Museveni’s visit aimed to strengthen bilateral ties and support the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement.
During his visit, President Kiir briefed Museveni on the security situation, reaffirming his commitment to upholding the peace agreement.
Kiir emphasized his desire to prevent further conflict in South Sudan, which has been on the brink of civil war since tensions escalated two months ago.
The conflict, sparked by Kiir’s accusation that his former deputy, Dr. Riek Machar, was plotting a coup, has resulted in significant humanitarian consequences, including an estimated 400,000 deaths and one million displaced individuals.
Museveni also met with the African Union’s Panel of the Wise, led by former Burundian President H.E. Domitien Ndayizeye, to discuss the security situation and the AU’s role in ensuring peaceful implementation of the peace agreement.
Uganda’s involvement in South Sudan’s conflict dates back to 2013, when it deployed troops to support Kiir’s government against Machar’s forces.
Although the troops were withdrawn in 2015, Uganda recently redeployed forces to Juba to enforce peace amid rising tensions.
Uganda’s concerns about the conflict are twofold: preventing refugee influx and maintaining regional stability
