Kampala denies supporting M23 rebels after DRC summoned Ugandan diplomat

Uganda has once again rejected the United Nations' allegations that it is supporting the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). 

This denial came after Kinshasa summoned Uganda's Chargé d'Affaires, Matata Twaha Magara, on Friday, July 19, to discuss the issue.

Since late 2021, M23 has captured significant territory in North Kivu province. A recent U.N. Security Council report accused the Ugandan army and military intelligence officials of providing "active support" to the rebels.

On Friday, after being summoned for talks with Congolese Deputy Foreign Minister Gracia Yamba Kazadi, Magara denied any Ugandan assistance to the group.

"Our position has been clear that in the East African Community, we need to work together to flush out all the negative forces that are disturbing us," Magara said. 

He referred to the joint operation in eastern DRC by Congolese and Ugandan troops against the ADF rebels, who are affiliated with the Islamic State.

Congolese people carry their belongings as they flee from their villages around Sake, in Masisi territory, following clashes between M23 rebels and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, toward Goma, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo, February 7, 2024. (Photo: REUTERS/Arlette BashiziFile Photo)

The ADF, originally composed mainly of Muslim Ugandan rebels, has been active in eastern DRC for the past three decades, responsible for thousands of civilian deaths.

Magara stated that Kazadi "called me to inquire about issues regarding our bilateral relations. She wanted to know what is happening. Of course, I assured her that our bilateral relations are cordial," he said, adding that Kampala is still "waiting for the official communication from the U.N. office" to respond to the allegations. 

"The U.N. should give, first, the concerned countries the report so that they can respond to those accusations," he insisted.

The U.N. report, published on July 8, claimed confirmation of "active support" for M23 from members of Ugandan intelligence. 

It also alleged that 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers had fought alongside M23 rebels in the mineral-rich east, displacing millions of people and that Kigali had "de facto control" of the group's operations, a claim Rwanda denies.

Two days later, Uganda's Deputy Defence Spokesperson, Deo Akiiki, dismissed the allegations against Kampala as "laughable, baseless, and illogical."