Uganda is attempting to expand influence in Sudan. The policy was more focused on South Sudan, but it appears it wants to spread presence beyond that. When President Yoweri Museveni invited the RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo for talks, it generated controversy. Uganda's assertion was that it was for the purpose of a possible peace settlement. What made the meeting suspicious was that members of the legitimate government were not present. What the meeting was seen as was a nation taking sides in a civil war. Uganda has done this before. The Sudan People's Liberation Army was armed by Uganda. The response from then President Omar al-Bashir was to provide support to the Lord's Resistance Army. Uganda and Sudan were in a war of proxy. When South Sudan got independence and then fell into civil war, Uganda sent its forces into the new country. The 2019 coup destabilized Sudan and Uganda found an opportunity to get involved. Ugandan Armed Forces were deployed to Juba in 2025 to keep the Salva Kiir government in power. South Sudan over the years has become increasingly dependent upon Uganda. Indications suggest that Uganda is trying to transform South Sudan into a client state. The war is Sudan also enables the advancement of this policy. If both Sudan and South Sudan were to fall under Ugandan influence, it would be dominant in East Africa. A peace settlement does not benefit Uganda as much as civil wars in both countries. Despite the war crimes in el-Fasher, Uganda is not condemning the RSF. Overtime, this will strain relations with Sudan . General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan stated there will be no agreements unless the RSF withdraws from areas it occupies. Uganda's longtime involvement in the affairs of Sudan are linked to oil. Uganda having two client states would give it indirect control of those reserves. Foreign interference by Uganda is going to have a negative impact on the domestic politics of both East African countries.
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