Uganda has deployed special forces in South Sudan's capital Juba to "secure it", Uganda's military chief said on Tuesday, but South Sudan's information minister denied the presence of troops, as tensions between South Sudan's president and first vice president stoke fears of a return to war.

South Sudan's government has denied earlier reports that Uganda had deployed special forces to its capital, Juba. Uganda's military chief Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba said the soldiers had gone to the neighbouring country to help South Sudanese President Salva Kiir "secure" the city.

Uganda had deployed special forces in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, to ‘secure it’, said Uganda’s military chief on Tuesday, as tensions between South Sudan’s president and first vice-president stoked fears of a return to civil war.