By Ateny Wek Ateny
Sunday, March 23, 2025(Nyamilepedia) — I came across a Tweet going viral on social media, purportedly tweeted by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba the Chief of Defense Forces of UPDF, and I almost fainted on reading such dehumanizing tweet. The tweet that read as “I am tired of killing Nuer. Tell your leader Riek Machar to come and kneel down before ‘Our’ President H.E Salva Kiir” is exceedingly ludicrous. I wish this Tweet was a mere Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated work and did not come from the Ugandan Chief of Defense Forces!
The tweet is a blatant confession of human right abuse on behalf of South Sudan. It is incumbent upon Gen. Muhoozi to distant himself from this twitter account that publishes ethnic cleansing materials, or else, he is providing the most crucial evidence to use in The Hague (“Den Haag”) International court of Justice. The Republic of Uganda is not immune from prosecution.
Though, as a sovereign entity, South Sudan has right to sign Military Pact with any country on earth, for defense of its territorial integrity, if, it feels threatens. The foreign soldiers operating in another country to quill rebellion or any armed organization is a legitimate right. However, the Gen. Muhoozi’s tweet doesn’t fall under what is acceptable.
Was UPDF contracted to come and kill Nuer or White Army? The two are different. While the former is one of the ethnic group South Sudan cannot survive without them, like any other ethnic groups including Dinka, the former is a para military organization capable to be disarmed or neutralized.
Like Titweng/Gelweng in Jieng areas, cattle Raiders in Murlie, Munyiomaji in Eastern Equatoria, White Army in Nasir (Upper Nile) and Akobo (Jonglei), falls on the same categories. The difference, is that the White Army do attack government forces without remorse. Nevertheless, the bottom line is that, the UPDF’s prime purpose, should be to disarm all armed civilians wherever they are, if, we are interested to unify our national army, devoid of what could further distort our social fabrics.
The statement such as what came in the alleged Muhoozi’s tweet are uncalled for and therefore susceptible to being serious criminal offense. I condemn this language in the strongest terms possible. I urge Gen. Muhoozi to stop tweeting such inflammatory materials, or distance himself from such Twitter. As Chief of Defense Forces of the UPDF, Gen. Muhoozi co-command the Ugandan Forces in South Sudan, with the Chief of Defense Forces of the SSPDF, Gen. Dr. Paul Nang.Majok and so he shouldn’t play our politics.
The Military Pact is not an abdication of country own’s sovereignty. Nuer as a tribe is the twin brother of Jieng, and killing them would also mean killing Jieng/Dinka. It is unacceptable to invite an army who would want to kill one ethnic group.
It is also inhumane and extraordinarily dangerous to suggest to a leader of certain politico-Military organization, such as the leader of the SPLM/A IO Dr. Riek Machar to kneel down before President Salva Kiir . Such call amount to total misrepresentation of our political culture. Overtime, we never have leaders kneeling down before other leaders. Before almighty God? I am not aware of.
Finally, in the face of recent politico-military crises in Nasir, and what came in the aftermath, requires restraint, resilience and steadfast leadership has shown by President Salva Kiir Mayardit. The same thing for Dr. Riek Machar Teny Dhourgon to replicate President Salva Kiir’s position to deescalate the looming political crisis in the country.
Otherwise, even with UPDF presence, the prevention of civil war from flaring up, lies with us the South Sudanese. Gen. Muhoozi should not do it for us. There is no existence of any army, however its size and strength has ever prevented civil wars. So, the political statements that comes from Uganda that speak such languages, are not wanted.
The writer is the former Press Secretary in the Office of the President and the views expressed in this article are his own. He could be reach by email; atenypiokerwek@gmail.com
