Uganda’s Involvement in South Sudan Conflict and Its Effects on Both Countries

ABSTRACT The study focused on the Uganda’s involvement in South Sudan conflict and its effects on both countries. The study objectively thought to; investigate the root causes of the current intra-state conflicts in South Sudan, analyse the interests of Uganda in South Sudan conflict and analyse the effects of involvement on both countries. The study used mixed method approach which is integration of qualitative and quantitative methods due to the number of advantages it offers, the study used Co-occurrence analysis is simply the counting of paired data within a collection unit. A questionnaire, with the responses to the questions as the elements; or a paper’s bibliography, with each cited author as the focus of the analysis. The study also was descriptive/correlation in that it involved gathering information about an existing phenomenon to explain relationships and to prove theories. A sample of 52 respondents was selected, however only 43 respondents were reached and analyzed. Using purposive sampling and simple random data was analysed using the computer software package called SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Scientist) to generate tables and figures.The findings of the study were that President Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar and ten others of attempting a coup d'état, Kiir’s Dinka ethnic group has been accused of attacking other ethnic groups and Machar’s Nuer ethnic group have been accused of attacking the Dinka. The study concluded that military or peacekeeping intervention is typically seen as a last resort, however, if a country or organization already has forces on the ground from a previous conflict, they may be repurposed immediately to aid in civilian protection while regional or subregional organizations work to resolve the conflict. In the case of situations which have spurred stark humanitarian crises as in South Sudan the organizations are more likely to respond with targeted sanctions against the leaders of groups and governments which have stood in the path of peace creation. In all situations, dialogue and reconciliation are encouraged as the first lines of response. The study recommends that there is a need to integrate the various militias into the army. The international community should assist the government of South Sudan in reforming and creating a more integrated army. The elite groups should be mobilized with a constructive agenda to take responsibility for the future of South Sudan in order to ensure lasting dialogue and continued peace in the country.