The recent warning issued by Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, to white mercenaries operating alongside the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the hunt for armed groups in eastern DRC has prompted a swift diplomatic response. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Therese Kayikwamba Wagner summoned Uganda’s Chargé d’Affaires in the DRC, Matata Twaha, to clarify what he called “out of place” comments.
In his message, Muhoozi Kainerugaba clearly warned all white mercenaries in the region that from 2 January 2025, the UPDF would attack all mercenaries in the area of operations. This tweet, although later deleted, raised concerns and led to this summons for formal explanations.
During the consultations, Matata Twaha expressed his understanding of the Minister’s concerns and committed to conveying these views to his government. He also mentioned that the Minister had promised to formalize these concerns in writing. This reaction reflects the importance and seriousness of Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s remarks.
Furthermore, in another tweet, the son of the Ugandan President indicated his intention to travel to Kinshasa to meet with President Felix Tshisekedi. This announcement could potentially pave the way for important discussions between the two countries.
Furthermore, Matata Twaha raised the issue of the conflicts between the DRC and Rwanda, while welcoming the latest meeting of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, following the cancellation of the tripartite meeting in Luanda, Angola. He stressed that this issue directly concerns the two countries concerned and that Uganda would not take a position on it.
The situation in the region, marked by growing tensions, particularly with Paul Kagame’s refusal to participate in the tripartite meeting in Angola, highlights the complexity of the security issues at stake. The involvement of the Ugandan army alongside the FARDC in the hunt for ADF rebels raises questions, particularly because of accusations of collaboration with the M23 rebels, as mentioned in a recent report by UN experts.
In conclusion, these recent developments highlight the need for active diplomacy and in-depth discussions to prevent any escalation of the situation in the Great Lakes region. Relations between neighboring countries remain complex and fragile, and it is crucial that channels of communication remain open to promote stability and peace in the region.