Uganda Signals Possible Withdrawal of Troops from Eastern DR Congo

Kampala, Uganda / Kinshasa, DR Congo — The Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Force, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, said Wednesday that Ugandan troops deployed in eastern DR Congo are prepared to withdraw from their positions between Lubero in North Kivu province and Mahagi in Ituri province, pledging to coordinate the pullback with the Congolese government. General Kainerugaba’s remarks signal a potential shift in Uganda’s military posture amid rising tensions over the presence of Uganda’s forces in the region.

In a post on social media platform X, the general stated that the army is ready to pull back all UPDF units from their current positions “from Lubero to Mahagi in eastern DR Congo, in coordination with the DRC government.” He noted that this process could begin imminently, conditional on evolving political circumstances, particularly involving the governor of Ituri.

The comments come as relations between Ugandan forces and local military authorities have deteriorated. According to reports, friction has grown between the UPDF and Lieutenant General Johnny Luboya Nkashama, the military governor of Ituri, over restrictions placed on Ugandan troop movements and operational coordination. These tensions have underscored differing priorities in security operations against armed groups in eastern DR Congo and raised questions about the future of joint efforts.

Uganda’s military presence in eastern DR Congo dates back to 2021, when Kampala and Kinshasa launched a joint campaign known as Operation Shujaa to counter the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an armed group blamed for attacks in both countries. Under the operation, Ugandan and Congolese troops worked in concert against the ADF, although persistent insecurity and complex militia dynamics have challenged the campaign’s effectiveness.

A withdrawal of Ugandan forces could complicate efforts to contain armed groups such as the ADF and have broader implications for security coordination in the eastern provinces, where multiple militias and rebel movements, including the M23 rebel group, remain active. Analysts note that such a development will require close diplomatic engagement between Kampala and Kinshasa and could prompt discussions about alternative regional security arrangements.