Ugandan military officials have denied involvement in the security crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), while Congolese citizens continue to suspect Uganda’s double game in the ongoing conflict.
In a recent report, United Nations experts accused Uganda of deploying over 1,000 new UPDF troops to Bunia and the territories of Mahagi and Djugu in Ituri province—without prior authorization from Kinshasa.
This report has sparked fresh debate over Uganda’s alleged support to the M23 rebel group, and its ambitions to control parts of eastern Congo, even as it partners with Congo’s army to fight the Islamist ADF rebels.
On Saturday, July 5, Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces took to social media to deny the allegations.
“I can assure you that we never planned to invade the DRC. Had we done so, you can be sure we would have reached Kinshasa. But that was never our objective,” he said.
“What matters now is implementing the various agreements. Uganda respects the accords it has signed with DRC and within the EAC framework.”
Since November 30, 2021, Ugandan forces have been conducting joint operations with the Congolese army in North Kivu and Ituri.
Nearly four years later, both countries say the results have been positive, with a significant reduction in ADF’s deadly attacks.
Recently, on June 20, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba visited Kinshasa, where he and Lt. Gen. Banza Mwilambwe Jules signed a renewed agreement on FARDC-UPDF joint operations in eastern Congo.
However, UN experts insist the UPDF’s presence in DRC goes beyond security concerns.
They argue that Uganda is also motivated by economic and geopolitical interests, particularly in the mineral trade, gold, oil exploration in Lake Albert, and other sectors.
Although many Congolese suspect Uganda of backing the M23, Kampala claims it helped prevent the rebels from advancing into Butembo and Beni in North Kivu.
