Faith Nyasuguta
Ugandan troops have moved into the eastern Congolese city of Bunia to assist local forces in curbing a surge of violence fueled by armed groups, according to the Ugandan military. The decision follows a strategic meeting on Monday between Ugandan and Congolese military officials, leading to a coordinated deployment aimed at restoring stability in the conflict-stricken region.
Maj. Gen. Felix Kulayigye, spokesperson for the Ugandan military, confirmed that Ugandan forces are now working alongside Congolese troops to secure Bunia, the capital of Ituri province. He stated that the intervention was prompted by a wave of violent crimes, including ethnically motivated killings carried out by militias operating in the area.
Although specific incidents were not disclosed, Bunia has long been a hotspot for clashes, particularly between the Lendu farming community and the Hema pastoralists, an ethnic rivalry that has fueled bloodshed for decades.
The deployment comes in the wake of recent threats made by Ugandan military commander Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who last week warned of potential military action in Bunia, citing allegations of targeted attacks against the Hema community. Situated just 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Uganda’s border, Bunia holds strategic importance, not only as a provincial capital but also as a key location in efforts to stabilize eastern Congo.
Ugandan forces have maintained a presence in eastern Congo since 2021, operating under an agreement with Congo’s government to pursue rebel groups destabilizing the region. Among their primary targets is the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a militia with links to the Islamic State group. Battles between Ugandan troops and ADF fighters have been reported in the remote highlands of Ituri, as well as in neighboring North Kivu province, where the resurgence of the M23 rebellion in 2021 further complicated the region’s fragile security landscape.
However, the latest Ugandan deployment into Bunia has sparked concerns about the potential for broader conflict. Analysts warn that increasing military involvement from neighboring countries could escalate tensions and draw in more regional actors, creating a complex web of alliances and rivalries reminiscent of past conflicts in the area.
Eastern Congo has long been a magnet for external military interests, largely due to its vast reserves of valuable minerals, including gold, coltan, and tin. Historically, neighboring countries like Uganda and Rwanda have been accused of exploiting these resources under the guise of military interventions.
The current situation raises fears of a repeat of the 1990s conflicts when Congo became a battleground for multiple foreign armies after its then-leader, Laurent-Dèsirè Kabila, invited troops from Angola, Zimbabwe, and other nations to fight rebels backed by Uganda and Rwanda.
Some regional experts believe the dynamics of the current crisis mirror those of past conflicts. Angelo Izama, an analyst at Uganda’s Fanaka Kwawote think tank, described the recent developments as the “first shot in an anticipated regional escalation.” He emphasized that Uganda and Rwanda have long-standing, sometimes competing, interests in eastern Congo, which continue to shape the region’s turbulent history.
South of Bunia, the M23 rebellion has been making rapid territorial gains. The group now controls Goma, the capital of North Kivu province and eastern Congo’s largest city. Over the weekend, M23 fighters also captured Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, following a swift and largely uncontested advance. Congolese forces, stretched thin and under-resourced, have struggled to mount significant resistance.
Congo accuses M23 of operating as a proxy force for Rwanda, a claim supported by United Nations experts who have documented the presence of thousands of Rwandan troops backing the rebels. The growing power of M23 has placed immense pressure on Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, who has sought support from regional allies to safeguard Congo’s territorial integrity.
In response, troops from Burundi, a country with its own strained relationship with Rwanda, have been deployed to assist Congolese forces. Soldiers from Tanzania and South Africa have also joined under the mandate of a regional bloc, further complicating the situation.
The fear now is that increased military activity in eastern Congo could trigger a wider conflict, drawing in additional regional actors and plunging the area into deeper instability. With the region’s mineral wealth at stake and deep-rooted rivalries in play, the path to peace remains uncertain.
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