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Gen Muhoozi stirs diplomatic row over DRC, Sudan invasion tweets

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Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba

Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Commander of Defence Forces (CDF) of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), has triggered a diplomatic row with the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sudan after threatening war against them.

Both the Sudan and the DR Congo governments have sent to Uganda protest notes demanding explanation and apology for Gen Muhoozi’s statements on his X social media account, formerly Twitter, which he has since deleted.

Uganda's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that they have seen the protest notes from the DR Congo and Sudan, and they would respond to them.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Mr Vincent Bagiire, confirmed that they have seen the protest notes from the two countries.

“We have seen the protests, and we shall respond,” Mr Bagiire said.

On Tuesday, using his X platform, Gen Muhoozi posted statements warning that he would attack White foreign armed nationals working in Eastern DR Congo by January 2025.

There are several armed personnel of White race operating in Eastern DRC under the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission, Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Romanian mercenaries attached to the DRC military. The forces allied to the DRC government are fighting M23 rebels that the United Nations say are backed by Rwanda and Uganda, an allegation both countries deny.

M23 rebels have seized a huge territory in Eastern DRC, but they have failed to capture Goma City and Sake Township following the deployment of the UN, SADC and Romanian mercenaries a year ago. The UN and SADC declared an attack on Sake Township as a red line for the M23 rebels. 

In another post, Gen Muhoozi also claimed that he would work with US president-elect Donald Trump to capture Khartoum, the capital city of Sudan. The Sudan Armed Forces are currently battling Rapid Support Forces for the control of Khartoum.

The Director of Public Information in the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs and the UPDF, Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye, yesterday said he had not been briefed about the capture of Khartoum or attacks on DRC’s foreign allies in Eastern DRC.

Brig Gen Kulayigye said their military relationship with the DRC is still strong.

“I am not aware of any change of the status quo,” Brig Gen Kulayigye said.

Gen Muhoozi’s comments are significant given the fact that they come days after the Angola backed negotiations between Rwanda and DRC to end the fighting in Eastern DRC collapsed at the weekend. Fighting between M23 rebels and DRC army also resumed after the US brokered ceasefire collapsed. 

Gen Muhoozi’s posts have prompted the DRC Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ms Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, to summon Ugandan diplomat to the DRC, Amb Twaha Matata, to clarify on Gen Muhoozi’s statements.

According to a statement, which Ms Kayikwamba shared on her social media platform, she said Gen Muhoozi’s statement was concerning and she demanded Amb Matata to present an official clarification about Gen Muhoozi’s tweets.

Allegations of Uganda backing M23 rebels affected the relationship with the DRC that Kinshasa refused to accredit Uganda’s ambassador to DRC, Mr Farid Kaliisa for nearly two years.

Gen Muhoozi backed M23 rebels in Eastern DRC two years ago. He described M23 rebels as their brothers.

“As for M23, I think it is very, very dangerous for anybody to fight those brothers of ours. They are NOT terrorists! They are fighting for the rights of Tutsi in DRC,” Gen Muhoozi tweeted on November 6, 2022.

The Uganda government distanced itself from his statements.

The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sudan also responded to Gen Muhoozi’s posts about their country describing the statements as unprecedented and deviant utterance displays.

“It further constitutes a complete departure from the accepted code of conduct expected of holders of high official and military positions, who are required to exhibit reason, discipline, and careful choice of language in their behaviour,” the statement read in part.

Sudan also demanded an apology from the government of Uganda.

“The government of Sudan, therefore, demands an official apology from the Government of Uganda for these offensive and dangerous remarks,” the statement reads.

Uganda shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Muwada Nkunyingi, said the CDF’s comments about Uganda’s strategic trade and security partners are concerning.

“DRC is our big trade partner. We shouldn’t do anything that disrupts it. When it comes to trade, it is often individual. So the blockade that may come out of these comments will affect our people,” Mr Nkunyingi said.

Mr Nkunyingi said they have been trying to facilitate movement of people and trade in the region, but Gen Muhoozi has armed the Congolese with reasons to deny Ugandans free access to their market.

This isn’t the first time Gen Muhoozi has made statements about foreign countries.

His social media statements threatening to capture Nairobi, Kenya led President Museveni to apologise and sacked him in October 2022. Mr Museveni warned Gen Muhoozi to desist from commenting about foreign affairs matters.