DHAKA: Ugandan troops are fighting alongside South Sudan government forces against rebels.

Uganda president Yoweri Museveni has confirmed, reports the BBC.

He said the combined forces had defeated rebels in a ‘big battle’ north of the capital Juba.

Museveni said some Ugandans had been killed but did not give any details, it is also not clear how many Ugandans soldiers are in South Sudan.

Several thousand people are believed to have been killed over the past month.

Ugandan officials have previously said that their special forces were only in South Sudan to help evacuate their nationals.

Since South Sudan became independent in 2011, thousands of Ugandans have crossed the border to work or do business.

Some 40,000 Ugandan nationals have been evacuated since the conflict broke out on 15 December.

On Tuesday, Uganda’s parliament approved the decision to send troops to South Sudan.

BDST: 1830 HRS, JAN 16, 2014
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor