South Sudan, Uganda Army Chiefs Agree on Border Security

(MBUYA, UGANDA) – The South Sudan Peoples’ Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) have agreed to deepen security cooperation following a series of serious incidents along their shared border.

The agreement was reached during a high level meeting held at the Defence and Intelligence headquarters in Mbuya Hills, Kampala. The talks were co-chaired by the UPDF Commander of Land Forces, Lieutenant General Kayanja Muhanga and the SSPDF Chief of Defence Forces, General Dau Aturjong Nyuol.

The meeting was convened after Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, invited his South Sudanese counterpart. The invitation followed his recent visit to Juba, where he held discussions with President Salva Kiir Mayardit on strengthening military cooperation.

Talks centred on practical solutions to address cross border security challenges and reinforce stability in the frontier communities. Both armies stressed the importance of dialogue, joint operations and intelligence sharing as tools to prevent future clashes.

Speaking on behalf of General Kainerugaba, Lieutenant General Muhanga said the relationship between the two countries’ armed forces has deep roots.

“All the struggles in the past that the SPLA went through, we were together. Even here in Uganda, during our struggles against the rebels of Joseph Kony, the South Sudan Defence Forces stood with us,” he said, stressing the long standing bond.

Turning to the recent border incidents, Lieutenant General Muhanga called for calm and constructive engagement.

“We need to approach this maturely and solve this problem. I am confident our discussions will find a remedy for the misunderstandings, which are not between the two governments nor the two armies.”

General Nyuol, who conveyed greetings from President Kiir, reassured the Ugandan delegation of South Sudan’s commitment to joint action.

“Joining hands in joint operations will maintain security. Even the spoiler will not be given room to cause havoc to our local population along the border. We will come out with something that can rescue the security and let our people live in good harmony.”

The discussions are expected to produce clear strategies for coordinated patrols, improved communication channels and shared mechanisms for responding to incidents along the border. Both sides emphasised the importance of protecting civilians and ensuring that local communities continue their daily activities in peace.

Several senior officers from both armies attended the meeting, including Major General Francis Takirwa, Deputy Commander Land Force, Major General Richard Otto, Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, Major General Felix Busizoori, Commander of the 4 Infantry Division and Brigadier General Moses Wandera, from Joint Staff Legal Services, alongside other senior officials.

The outcome of the talks is seen as an important step in addressing recurring concerns from residents of border areas in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State and Uganda’s northern districts. Many communities have voiced worries over cross-border raids, smuggling and armed criminal activity.

Cooperation between the two armies has been essential in past regional efforts, including the fight against the Lord’s Resistance Army.

For South Sudan, which continues to rebuild its security institutions while navigating a fragile peace process, maintaining positive relations with Uganda remains a strategic priority.

The two countries share extensive cultural, trade, and social ties, with many South Sudanese communities relying on trade routes through Uganda for essential goods.