Ugandan Deployment 'Stopped Genocide'; Soldiers 'Coming Home' From South Sudan

President Salva Kiir (left) signed a peace deal in August witnessed by Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni (Photo: AFP)

The Ugandan government says that the deployment of its soldiers to neighbouring South Sudan in 2013 at the start of the civil war there "helped to stop what was likely to be the worst genocide in the region".

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Henry Okello Oryem says in a statement that Uganda's intervention "halted" massacres in the town of Bor.

The government has now announced that Ugandan soldiers will start withdrawing soon in line with a peace deal.

BBC report continues:

Uganda's defence chief Gen Katumba Wamala said "the boys are coming home", referring to the start of the withdrawal of Ugandan troops from neighbouring South Sudan.

Talking to the press he said that all soldiers should be out by 1 November.

Much of Bor town was destroyed during a rebel attack in the civil war (Photo: AFP)

Uganda intervened when the civil war broke out in December 2013 following a request from South Sudan's President Salva Kiir.

Gen Wamala said his troops only came into direct contact with rebel forces once, during that December, when nine Ugandan soldiers died.

The withdrawal of Ugandan troops was a key rebel demand during drawn-out talks which led to a peace deal in August.