Uganda’s Threatens To Attack Eastern DRC Town Of Bunia
Uganda would assault the town of Bunia in neighboring eastern Congo unless “all forces” surrender their arms within 24 hours, Uganda’s defense chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, warned in a Saturday post on X.
Kainerugaba, who has a history of making outspoken comments about foreign affairs, claimed to have the authority of President Yoweri Museveni, who is also his father.
A Ugandan military official declined to comment on the situation.
Earlier on Saturday, Kainerugaba claimed, without presenting evidence, that members of the Bahima ethnic group were being killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
With the authority of General Yoweri Museveni, Supreme Commander of the UPDF! I'm giving exactly 24 hours for all forces in Bunia to surrender their arms! If they don't we shall consider them enemies and attack them.
— Muhoozi Kainerugaba (@mkainerugaba) February 15, 2025
“My people, the Bahima are being attacked. That’s a very dangerous situation for those attacking my people. No one on this earth can kill my people and think he will not suffer for it!” he said.
“Bunia will soon be in UPDF hands,” he said in a separate post, referring to the Uganda People’s Defence Force.
We are on the way to Bunia, the people are welcoming us as liberators.
— Muhoozi Kainerugaba (@mkainerugaba) February 15, 2025
Congo’s Prime Minister, Judith Suminwa, told Reuters on the margins of an African Union conference on Saturday that her government had “no comment to make” about Kainerugaba’s remarks.
The threat from Uganda’s senior military leader, who is widely regarded as Museveni’s heir apparent, has fueled fears that a battle between Congolese forces and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels may escalate into a larger regional war.
ALSO READ:
- Safaricom Issues Statement After MyOneApp’s Negative Feedback
- IEBC Announces 16 Additional Diaspora Voting Countries
- EXPLAINER: KRA’s New 3-Step Filing Process For Kenyans; How It Works
- NYAMIRA: Teen Killed, Body Dumped In Tea Plantation As Police Launch Investigations
- Governor Orengo In Hot Soup As Siaya MCAs Threaten To Impeach Him
On Friday, an M23 leader announced the rebels had invaded Bukavu, the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s second-biggest city, after capturing Goma, the largest, at the end of last month.
Reuters reported earlier in February, citing UN sources, that Uganda had deployed more than 1,000 more soldiers in eastern Congo as part of an operation to help DRC fight Islamist militants.
Kainerugaba frequently makes incendiary social media remarks, including a 2022 threat to invade neighboring Kenya.
Last month, Kainerugaba stated that he wants to behead Uganda’s most renowned opposition leader, Bobi Wine. He then apologised for the threat and occasionally claimed that certain posts are intended humorously.
Uganda’s Threatens To Attack Eastern DRC Town Of Bunia
