A recent United Nations inquiry has found that Uganda assisted South Sudan in carrying out airstrikes last year that killed and severely burned civilians, predominantly affecting Nuer communities in opposition-controlled areas.
The U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan said the joint aerial bombardments “targeted civilian-populated areas predominantly affecting Nuer communities in opposition-affiliated areas.” The attacks reportedly involved the widespread use of improvised incendiary devices, causing devastating casualties and destruction.
Ugandan troops have been deployed in South Sudan to support the government of President Salva Kiir against forces loyal to opposition leader Riek Machar, who was suspended as vice president in September amid criminal charges. While Ugandan authorities maintain that their forces operate under a bilateral security agreement and at South Sudan’s invitation, the U.N. report indicates a high level of operational coordination and command-level authorization between the two militaries.
The report highlights specific attacks, including a March 2025 airstrike in Wunaliet, 15 kilometers from Juba, where homes were engulfed by fires from barrels of flammable liquid. Survivors recounted civilians, including a young boy, being burned beyond recognition. Flight tracking data suggested that Ugandan military aircraft participated in the operations, corroborating evidence of cross-border involvement.
Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, posted on social media at the time about the airstrikes, although the post was later deleted. Uganda has repeatedly denied participating in combat operations in South Sudan, denying the use of chemical weapons or targeting civilians.
Human rights groups have criticized Uganda’s military engagement in South Sudan. Amnesty International previously reported that Uganda violated a 2018 U.N. arms embargo by providing weapons and personnel to South Sudan, a finding echoed by a U.N. panel of experts.
The findings underscore the ongoing risks to civilians in the widening conflict and the complex regional dynamics shaping the South Sudanese civil war, raising serious questions about accountability and adherence to international humanitarian law.
