Ugandan diplomat Matata Twaha Summoned By DRC over Supporting M23 rebels

Uganda has once again rejected United Nations allegations that it is backing M23 rebels in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, following a summons of the Ugandan charge d’affaires by Kinshasa over the issue.

Since late 2021, M23 has seized large swaths of territory in North Kivu province. A recent report commissioned by the UN Security Council alleges “active support” for the rebels by Ugandan army and military intelligence officials.

On Friday, Uganda’s charge d’affaires, Matata Twaha Magara, denied any involvement in aiding the group after being summoned for discussions with Congolese Deputy Foreign Minister Gracia Yamba Kazadi.

“Our position has been clear that in the East African community we need to work together to eliminate all the negative forces that are causing unrest,” Magara stated.

He highlighted the joint operation in eastern DRC by Congolese and Ugandan troops against the ADF rebels, who are affiliated with the Islamic State. Originally composed mainly of Muslim Ugandan rebels, the ADF has established a stronghold in eastern DRC over the past three decades, responsible for the deaths of thousands of civilians.

Magara noted that Kazadi “called me to inquire about issues regarding our bilateral relations. She wanted to understand the current situation.”

“I assured her that our bilateral relations remain cordial,” he said, adding that Kampala is still “waiting for official communication from the UN office” to formally address the allegations.

“The UN should first provide the concerned countries with the report so that they can respond to these accusations,” he asserted.

In the report published on July 8, UN experts confirmed “active support” for M23 from members of Ugandan intelligence.

The report also claimed that 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers had been fighting 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.

Furthermore, the experts provided evidence of “active support for M23 by certain UPDF [Uganda People’s Defense Forces] and Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence officials.”

Two days later, Uganda’s Deputy Defense Spokesperson Deo Akiiki dismissed the allegations against Kampala as “laughable, baseless, and illogical.”