Uganda issued a harsh ultimatum to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) town of Bunia, threatening an attack unless “all forces” lay down their arms within 24 hours. The ultimatum was issued by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Uganda chief of defence forces and son of President Yoweri Museveni, in a X post on Saturday.
Kainerugaba said that he had permission from his father for the operation, but a Ugandan military spokesman said he had nothing to say. His comments came after unconfirmed reports that members of the Bahima tribe are being killed in Congo. “No one on this earth can kill my people and think he will not suffer for it!” Kainerugaba wrote, later claiming that “Bunia will soon be in UPDF hands,” referring to the Uganda People’s Defence Force.
The Congolese government, in response through Prime Minister Judith Suminwa at an African Union summit, refused to comment. Nevertheless, Kainerugaba’s remark has generated concerns that the current fighting between Congolese troops and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels could escalate into a wider regional war.
Previous reports are that Uganda sent more than 1,000 soldiers to the east of Congo, purportedly to fight against Islamist extremists. But UN officials believe Uganda has been assisting the M23, which is a rebel group led by Tutsis.
Kainerugaba showed sympathy for the M23 previously, referring to them as “brothers of ours” back in 2022. The analysts think that his latest words are an indicator of Uganda’s wider economic and strategic interests within Congo’s Ituri province where Bunia serves as the capital.
Onlookers have compared the situation to the 1998 Second Congolese War, when Uganda and Rwanda shared power in eastern Congo. Kainerugaba, whose instigative social media comments have made him a thorn in the flesh, is no stranger to making provocative remarks, including previous threats to Kenya and Uganda’s opposition leader Bobi Wine.
