The Chief of Defense Forces and Senior Presidential Adviser for Special Operations Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has this Saturday afternoon held talks with his South Sudan counterpart Gen Santino Deng Wol.
The meeting at the Defense Intelligence and Security Headquarters in Mbuya focused on “regional security issues of mutual interest”, according to a brief from the CDF’s office.
“The two military leaders acknowledged the longstanding relationship between Uganda and South Sudan, committing to further enhancing military to military relations,” the brief added.
Both countries maintain good relations.
In 2013, the UPDF sent commando units to protect South Sudan president Salva Kiir’s government from being overthrown by his Vice President Riek Machar.
Border dispute
The meeting comes just a few weeks after Ugandan MPs called for the fast-tracking of the joint border demarcation with South Sudan to address the ongoing security challenges in the Karamoja region.
Linos Ngompek, the deputy chairperson of Parliament’s Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs, recently said the unresolved border dispute between Uganda and South Sudan posed a serious threat to the security of the Karamoja region.
Border disputes between Uganda and South Sudan especially in the area of Lamwo, Nimule, Kajo-Keji and Moyo have been a longstanding issue that has escalated into violence and conflict since 2014.
The conflict is deeply rooted in historical arrangements made during colonial times when borders were drawn without consultation with local populations. This has led to tensions among various ethnic groups who inhabit these regions.
In 2017, Uganda and South Sudan agreed on a blueprint for redrawing their common border in a deal expected to end the long-simmering border conflicts.
A joint technical committee from the two countries concluded a three-day meeting for the “delimitation and demarcation” of the border in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, a process facilitated and to be overseen by the African Union.
Today’s meeting in Mbuya was attended by several UPDF leaders including the deputy CDF Lt Gen Sam Okiding, Air Force Commander Lt Gen Charles Okidi, the Deputy Commander Land Forces Maj Gen Francis Takirwa and the Chief of Defense Intelligence and Security Maj Gen James Birungi.
The meeting was also attended by the 4 Division Commander Brig Felix Busizoori and the 5th Division Commander Brig Keith Katungyi among others.
The South Sudan chief was also accompanied by senior military officials from his country.
Since assuming office of the CDF, Gen Kainerugaba has met with his counterparts from several countries including Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Mali, Mozambique, highlighting his resolve to enhance security cooperation with regional militaries and others that may not directly share a common border with Uganda.
