The government of Uganda has denied supporting the M23 rebels who earlier this year seized the strategic border town of Bunagana, saying bilateral relations with both neighbors remained “strong” and “warm.”
“Our relationship with FARDC (Congolese army) and the President of DRC and his Cabinet are warm,” said Uganda government spokesperson, Mr Ofwono Opondo.
The remarks come against the backdrop of accusations by DRC Senators, Civil Society Groups and protesters in DRC that Uganda was working with Rwanda to destabilize the mineral-rich country.
Congolese lawmakers under the platform, Together for Change, yesterday said in a statement that Kinshasa should expel Uganda’s Ambassador to DRC and close the two countries’ common borders over Kampala’s alleged support for M23.
The statement came after the Supreme Defence Council expelled Rwanda’s envoy to DRC, Vincent Karega, saying Kigali had sent thousands of troops to help M23 fight Congolese forces.
The lawmakers did not cite any evidence implicating Uganda in the M23 rebellion.
During yesterday’s press conference, DRC Government spokesperson Patrick Muayaya was asked about the claims of Uganda backing M23.
“We are reviewing and investigating these claims,” said Muyaya.
Protesters in Goma earlier this week held placards accusing Uganda and Rwanda of supporting M23.
In response, Opondo told ChimpReports that “when M23 ran from DRC in 2013, it was Uganda which received them and cantoned them to Bihanga barracks before handing them to DRC under President Kabila.”
Opondo said DRC would not have signed agreements with Uganda on joint cooperation in road construction projects and fighting ADF if Kampala was supporting M23.
Road project
He emphasised: “We even worked for the integration of M23 in FARDC.”
ChimpReports understands that the Bunagana-Goma joint road project has since stalled since M23 rebels seized Bunagana.
Uganda’s Defence spokesperson, Brig Felix Kulayigye told us that M23 rebels tried to torch Uganda’s road construction equipment in Bunagana.
“There was an attempt by M23 to burn the equipment,” said Kulayigye, adding, “When I hear that we are supporting M23, I get annoyed.”
He said the multi-million dollar equipment has since been returned to Uganda, delaying the road construction project.
The construction of the Bunagana–Ruchuru-Goma road (89kms) was expected to ease movement of goods from Uganda to the provincial city of Goma and vice versa, promoting bilateral trade and attracting investment in the region.
The DRC, which boasts a population of 107 million people, is Uganda’s biggest trading partner in East Africa.
DRC’s Ambassador to Uganda, Jean Pierre Masala recently disclosed that in the month of January, 2022, Uganda’s exports to DRC rose to a staggering $71m.”
“This means in 12 months, Uganda’s exports will be about $1bn,” he added.
This website understands a substantial amount of Uganda’s exports to DR Congo passed via Bunagana including plastering materials, lime and cement which attracted $43m in 2020; edible oils which raked in $26m in the same year and beverages and spirits which brought revenues amounting to $20m in 2020.
M23 rebels have since defied regional leaders’ threat of military action unless they vacate Bunagana.
Senators claimed Uganda recently helped M23 to flank the DRC forces in the battle for Bunagana.
It was alleged that Ugandan soldiers allowed M23 on Ugandan territory to move around the Congolese force’s side, or flank, to achieve an advantageous position over FARDC.
But Kulayigye today dismissed the claim as “day-dreaming.”
He added: “We support the peaceful settlement of the issues in DRC. We have been part of the process of looking for peace for a long time. We have been receiving Congolese soldiers and civilians running away from conflict.”
Kulayigye said UPDF recently received injured Congolese soldiers who were treated in Ugandan hospitals.
“We did not disarm or detain them. We treated them in our hospitals and later handed them to DRC military authorities via the Ishasha border,” said Kulayigye.
“The claims that we are supporting M23 are idle, redundant and uninformed,” he added.
Informed that DRC Senators called for the closure of the border with Uganda, Kulayigye responded: “That is not well throughout because the people living on both sides of the border are relatives. Let no one bring confusion in our relations with DRC.”
Didas Mwebesa, a trader in Kisoro, says since M23 stepped up attacks on Congolese forces, the district has been flooded by refugees.
“The price of consumer goods has increased tremendously. There is scarcity of food, especially irish potatoes whose price has almost tripled in the last one month,” said Mwebesa.
“Many people are dying in this conflict.”
Asked what steps were taken to restore stability, Kulayigye wondered: “The issue lies with the Congolese people. They have to sort out their problems. We only host people who are running away for their dear lives.”
***ChimpReports***
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