Uganda Denies Backing M23 Rebels

The development has put Uganda in a dilemma with Congolese officials now openly condemning Kampala’s alleged support for the M23 rebels yet Kinshasa is helping UPDF to fight ADF terrorists in Ituri Province.

Uganda has flatly denied supporting the M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) even after the United Nations provided evidence pinning Kampala.

The UN Group of Experts said the UPDF was providing support including medical evacuations of injured M23 rebels to receive treatment in Uganda.

The development has put Uganda in a dilemma with Congolese officials now openly condemning Kampala’s alleged support for the M23 rebels yet Kinshasa is helping UPDF to fight ADF terrorists in Ituri Province.

Deputy Army spokesperson, Col Deo Akiiki dismissed recent reports allegingUPDF involvement in destabilizing activities in DRC as baseless and biased.

“UPDF have been working closely with the Congolese Forces (FARDC) to combat negative forces like the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and have a bilateral agreement to pursue peace in the region,” said Akiiki.

He said despite this collaboration, Uganda has been falsely accused of unsubstantiated reports lacking academic rigor.

Akiiki said Uganda’s efforts to stabilize the region through joint infrastructure development and peace projects have been overlooked.

“We are jointly developing infrastructure and peace-related projects with our counterparts in the eastern DRC. It would be illogical for us to destabilize the same region we are working tirelessly to stabilize,” he added.

The UN recently warned that tensions between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda remained high, with continued negative rhetoric and mutual accusations over the use of armed groups as proxies.

During his electoral campaign, the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, announced that he would seek authorization from Parliament to declare war on Rwanda, should the latter not desist from supporting M23 and other “political peace spoilers” in his country.

In a speech delivered on 30 January, 2024, Mr. Tshisekedi reiterated the view that, as long as the “aggressors” occupied parts of the Congolese territory, there would be no dialogue.

He further called upon international and regional partners to impose sanctions on M23 and Rwandan actors.

Meanwhile, Rwandan authorities, in a communiqué of 18 February, accused Mr. Tshisekedi of intending to “invade Rwanda and change its government”.

“Uganda calls for evidence to support these claims, which has never been presented,” said Akiiki.

“The country urges self-proclaimed ‘experts’ to consult genuine experts on the Eastern DRC to enhance the quality of their reports rather than relying on armchair research that perpetuates conflicts. Uganda’s commitment to peace in the DRC remains unwavering, and the country will continue to work tirelessly towards regional stability,” he added.