The involvement of the Ugandan People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) in one of the major controversies of South Sudan’s civil war. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has been a longtime ally of his counterpart Salva Kiir, and sent troops in late December 2013 to support the South Sudanese president. Most observers say the UPDF prevented the fall of Juba in January, but the rebels accuse Uganda of violating a ceasefire, using cluster bombs, and unfairly supporting Kiir. The rebels are calling for Uganda to withdraw. Here’s a timeline of Uganda’s military presence in South Sudan.
19 December UN asks Uganda to mediate in South Sudan and Uganda pledges to be neutral
20 December Uganda sends troops to evacuate citizens and secure key installations in Juba
21 December Rebels accuse Uganda of bombing Bor as Ugandan military aircraft come under fire
22 December Uganda denies its troops are supporting Kiir
27 December Regional governments give Riek Machar a four-day ultimatum to meet for talks
30 December Museveni admits to supporting Kiir and threatens to “defeat” Machar
7 January Chief rebel negotiator Taban Deng demands Uganda withdraw
10 January Uganda and South Sudan sign status of forces agreement
13 January Uganda parliament debates UPDF presence in South Sudan
15 January President Museveni says Ugandan soldiers have been killed in South Sudan
16 January Rebels make Ugandan withdrawal a precondition for ceasefire
18 January Kiir’s forces take back Bor, with UPDF comprising up to 80% of the fighting force, by some estimates
23 January Government and rebels agree to redeploy or withdraw foreign fighters
31 January UPDF says it will stay until South Sudan is stable
1 February Rebels accuse Uganda of violating ceasefire
8 February US urges foreign fighters to leave South Sudan
9 February Uganda says it won’t yield to US pressure
11 February Ethiopia urges Uganda to leave South Sudan
14 February South Sudan defense minister says Juba is paying UPDF
16 February Uganda opposition leader speaks against UPDF in South Sudan
17 February Uganda denies using cluster bombs in South Sudan
19 February Uganda says its troops will withdraw in April
19 February UPDF says it won’t take part in cluster bombs investigation
13 March East African leaders demand Uganda withdraw
16 March Uganda says its troops will withdraw once IGAD protection force deploys
8 April Museveni meets Kiir and says IGAD will decide length of UPDF deployment
6 May Museveni says South Sudan is not paying UPDF
11 May UN report suggests UPDF used cluster bombs in South Sudan
18 May Peace talks postponed over presence of foreign troops
21 May South Sudan agrees to meet UPDF fuel expenses
7 June Uganda borrows money to pay for UPDF in South Sudan
20 June Ugandan opposition demands UPDF withdraw
24 June South Sudan defense minister denies paying UPDF