General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s military chief, issued a warning on Saturday, threatening to launch an attack on Bunia, a town in eastern Congo, unless all armed forces in the area surrendered their weapons within 24 hours. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kainerugaba, who is also the son of President Yoweri Museveni, claimed that he had the full backing of his father for the threat. A Ugandan military spokesperson declined to comment on the matter.
Earlier in the day, Kainerugaba alleged that members of the Bahima ethnic group were being targeted in Congo, though he did not provide any evidence to support his claim. “My people, the Bahima are being attacked. That’s a very dangerous situation for those attacking my people. No one can kill my people and expect to escape consequences!” he said.
He further stated, “Bunia will soon be in UPDF hands,” referring to the Uganda People’s Defence Force. This escalates tensions in the region, where there are concerns that ongoing clashes between Congolese forces and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels could spark a broader regional conflict.
Kainerugaba’s comments come amid mounting instability in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The M23 rebels have recently captured significant cities like Goma and Bukavu, increasing fears of further violence. Reports from early February indicated that Uganda had deployed over 1,000 additional troops to eastern Congo to support anti-Islamist operations. However, United Nations experts have suggested that Uganda is also supporting the M23 rebels, which has been denied by Uganda and Rwanda.
The Ugandan general has been vocal in his support for Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, who has faced accusations of involvement in the M23 conflict, which he has denied. In 2022, Kainerugaba described the M23 rebels as “brothers” fighting for the rights of ethnic Tutsis in Congo.
Congo’s Communications Minister Patrick Muyaya and the Congolese army spokesperson have yet to respond to Kainerugaba’s recent remarks. The general, known for his provocative social media posts, has previously made controversial threats, including one in 2022 to invade Kenya. He also sparked outrage last month when he threatened to behead Uganda’s prominent opposition leader, Bobi Wine, though he later apologized and clarified that some of his statements are meant to be taken ironically.
Post a Comment