By Enyichukwu Enemanna
As the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group continues to occupy territories and displace millions of people in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has threatened to launch an attack on the town of Bunia in neighbouring eastern Congo unless “all forces” there surrender their arms within 24 hours.
Kainerugaba, on Saturday, alleged that his people from the Bahima ethnic group were being killed but failed to provide evidence.
Kainerugaba, son of Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, who has a history of making controversial comments on foreign policy, said he had the authority of his father.
“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!” said the son of President Museveni, who has ruled the country for nearly four decades.
“Bunia will soon be in UPDF hands,” he said in a separate post, referring to the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF).
The threat from Uganda’s top military officer, widely believed to be his father’s preferred successor, has raised tensions that a conflict between Congolese forces and M23 rebels could escalate into a full-blown regional war.
A top official of M23 had on Friday said the rebels had entered Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, after capturing Goma, the largest city, at the end of last month.
A UN source had in January said Uganda had deployed more than 1,000 extra soldiers in eastern Congo under the auspices of an operation to help Congo fight Islamist militants.
Despite this apparent support, experts have alleged that Uganda has also backed the M23, which is predominantly composed of individuals from the Tutsi ethnic group.
Kainerugaba has been publicly supportive of Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, who has been accused of supplying logistics and trainers to the M23 rebels.
In 2022, Kainerugaba referred to M23 as “brothers of ours” fighting for the rights of Tutsis in Congo.
Kainerugaba, despite being groomed to lead the country, often makes controversial posts on social media, including a threat in 2022 to invade neighbouring Kenya.
Last month, he said he wanted to behead Uganda’s most prominent opposition leader, Bobi Wine.
He later apologised for that threat and claimed that certain posts were meant ironically.
