By UG Diplomat Staff Writer
Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has dismissed recent reports aired on Al Jazeera alleging that Uganda had deployed troops in Eastern Congo to assist the Congolese government in fighting the M-23 rebels.
In an official statement, the Ugandan leader clarified that the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) are present in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) solely to combat the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and ensure the security of infrastructure projects.
President Museveni explained that Uganda’s military involvement in the DRC dates back four years when President Félix Tshisekedi granted permission for Ugandan forces to assist in tackling ADF terrorists, who had been launching cross-border attacks from Congolese territory since 2002. “This mission has brought relief to both Ugandans and Congolese citizens, who have returned to their villages, no longer living in fear of the ADF,” Museveni said.
The Ugandan president cited past attacks attributed to the ADF, including the assassinations of notable Ugandan figures such as Joan Kagezi, Gen. Katumba Wamala’s daughter, and seven sheikhs. The UPDF’s deployment was aimed at eliminating these threats and stabilizing the affected regions.
In addition to their counter-terrorism operations, Ugandan forces were tasked with safeguarding the construction of the Kasindi-Beni-Butembo Road, a joint infrastructure project aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and trade.
Museveni also addressed the withdrawal of the East African Regional Force (EACRF), which was expelled by the Congolese government for allegedly failing to address the M-23 rebellion. He clarified that fighting M-23 was never part of the force’s mandate. “The East African Force remained neutral in the conflict between the Congo Army and M-23 fighters,” Museveni emphasized.
With the EACRF’s mandate now revoked, the UPDF’s responsibilities remain focused on combating the ADF and securing infrastructure projects. Uganda has since received approval from Kinshasa to extend its operations to Lubero, near Butembo and Bunia, due to the deteriorating security situation in Eastern Congo.
President Museveni reaffirmed Uganda’s stance on the M-23 conflict, urging dialogue as the best path toward a peaceful resolution. “Our advice to all parties involved has always been negotiations, guided by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC),” he said.
Museveni’s latest clarification aims to set the record straight amid growing regional tensions and international scrutiny surrounding the security crisis in Eastern Congo.
