KAMPALA- The National Resistance Movement Parliamentary caucus, in a meeting chaired by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at State House Entebbe has issued resolutions supporting the deployment of the UPDF in South Sudan amid recent conflicts.
According to a statement signed by Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua, the caucus said that the deployment of the UPDF in South Sudan is in line with Uganda’s constitution and the UPDF Act and it is necessary intervention for peace enforcement to protect lives, restore stability and a prevent further escalation of conflict.
The announcement was made by Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua during a press briefing at Parliament where he revealed that the deployment followed a request from South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir, who sought urgent support from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni after conflict erupted in his country.
“The NRM Parliamentary Caucus hereby resolves to support the deployment of the UPDF in South Sudan as a necessary intervention for peace enforcement to protect lives, restore stability, and prevent further escalation of the conflict,” Hon Obua stated.
This development comes after Parliament had this week questioned the deployment of the UPDF to secure Juba City following fighting in South Sudan but the Minister of Defence Hon Oboth Oboth had told Parliament that he was not aware of the UPDF presence in South Sudan.
However, the Military Assistant for Public Relations to the Chief of Defence Forces, Col Chris Magezi later explained the presence of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces in South Sudan without Parliament ’s knowledge saying that the UPDF acted decisively on the request of the government of South Sudan to avert a dangerously developing situation and deployed forces accordingly.
It was from this background that the government came out to defend its decision to send troops before seeking Parliamentary approval and Hon Obua clarified that while prior authorization is required for peacekeeping missions, the current deployment falls under peace enforcement, which allows for retrospective approval.
“In our resolution, it is crystal clear that the deployment isn’t for peacekeeping; it is for peace enforcement. The law states that for peacekeeping, prior parliamentary approval is needed. However, for peace enforcement such as our recent deployment to South Sudan immediate action can be taken, with approval sought afterward,” Hon Obua explained.
However, it remains uncertain if the Parliament will approve the resolution of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus since its their obligation to do so according to the Constitution of Uganda.
