The Ugandan army (UPDF) has vehemently denied allegations of deploying chemical or barrel weapons in neighboring South Sudan.
This denial follows a United Nations report detailing the use of a highly flammable liquid in recent aerial attacks within the conflict-ridden nation.
UPDF spokesperson Chris Magezi dismissed the social media reports as “unsubstantiated and misleading.”
Magezi firmly stated that the UPDF “neither possesses chemical weapons and barrel bombs nor does it operate systems designed to deliver them.”
Uganda’s special forces were deployed to South Sudan in March to support President Salva Kiir amidst clashes with forces loyal to First Vice President Riek Machar.
The recent fighting in Upper Nile State has resulted in numerous civilian casualties and significant displacement.
The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) condemned the indiscriminate attacks on civilians, highlighting the use of bombs containing a highly flammable accelerant.
UNMISS head Nicholas Haysom reported horrific burn injuries and an estimated 63,000 people displaced by the violence.
Uganda’s involvement has drawn criticism from Machar’s party, who claim it violates a UN arms embargo.