Uganda shuts border to avert crisis spillover

A handout photo released by the UNMISS on December 16, 2013 shows civilians seeking protection, arriving at the UNMISS compound adjacent to Juba International Airport on December 15 following recent fightings in the capital. Photo/AFP

What you need to know:

  • The army said it was on standby to avoid “wrong characters”, who might want to take advantage of the situation to wreak havoc on the Ugandan side

Uganda on Tuesday closed its borders with South Sudan as the fighting between rival forces in Juba entered the second day.

The army said it was on standby to avoid “wrong characters”, who might want to take advantage of the situation to wreak havoc on the Ugandan side.

The UPDF Fourth Division in Gulu district under Col Emmanuel Kanyesigye, and the fifth headquartered in Pader, commanded by Brig John Lorot, have been reinforced to monitor the 435-kilometre borderline with South Sudan.

The border is reportedly being patrolled by more than 2,000 elite forces under the supervision of Col Kanyesigye.

The military, however, denied reports that a section of Ugandan Special Forces Group had been deployed in Juba to protect embattled South Sudan President Salvar Kiir, whose army is fighting soldiers loyal to his former deputy Riek Machar, who is said to be on the run.

“That’s rumour-mongering. But our border security has been heightened and we are on standby to look out for any wrong characters that may take advantage of the fragile situation in Juba to enter Uganda,” army spokesman, Lt Col Paddy Ankunda said.