The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has disputed a United Nations report that accused Ugandan soldiers of supporting the M23 rebels against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government.
Brigadier General Felix Kulayigye, the Director of Defence Public Information, stated that the UN experts have repeatedly made these claims without providing evidence. He emphasized Uganda's positive relationship with the Kinshasa government, denying any support for the M23 rebels.
A leaked UN report accused Uganda of backing both M23 and Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) rebels, alleging that Uganda offers sanctuary and facilitates travel for Rwanda Defence Forces to join M23 fighters in eastern DRC. The report also claimed that Uganda enables sanctioned M23 leaders to travel, including through Entebbe International Airport, and cited a meeting in Kampala with journalist Andrew Mwenda to improve diplomatic relations with Western missions.
Brig. Gen. Kulayigye criticized the UN report as biased and unresearched, arguing that the experts did not seek the UPDF's perspective. He noted that the UPDF's last operation in the region was in December 2023 as part of the East Africa Community Regional Forces (EACRF), a peacekeeping initiative that ended when the Kinshasa government declined to renew its mandate in November 2023.
Despite these allegations, Uganda remains committed to achieving peace in the Kivu region of eastern DRC. The UPDF, with DRC government approval, deployed troops to North Kivu to combat the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels, who have been responsible for attacks in both Uganda and the DRC.
Political pressure in Kinshasa has risen due to the UN's claims, with some politicians urging the government to cease joint operations with Uganda against the ADF. If the UPDF withdraws, the ADF could benefit, as the Congolese forces struggle with logistical and manpower challenges, exacerbated by the redeployment of troops from ADF-affected areas to those contested by M23 rebels.