UPDF Not in Rutshuru, says Brig Gen Kulayigye

Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has denied allegations that its troops are deployed in Rutshuru, a territory in the North Kivu province of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The claims were made by a Congolese citizen who refers to himself as Jules Mulumba.

“Uganda and Rwanda deploy an anti-aircraft system on Congolese soil. Yet another large-scale violation of the national sovereignty of the DRC with the support of the imperialists. We have to hit these small countries,” Mulumba posted on X handle @mulumba_jules on February 11, 2024.

On February 13, he once again posted: “The Ugandan army with its artillery is in full manoeuvre in support of that of Kagame but we will resist them until the end. Here it is on the Kitshanga-Sake axis. Vengeance will be tenfold. Save this date…”

In a statement released on Thursday, February 15, Defence Spokesperson, Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye, dismissed the claims as false.

“The UPDF takes exception upon the falsehoods being spread by Mr. Jules Mulumba that the UPDF is in Rutsuru! In an attempt to authenticate his desperate claims, he uses photos of our force that were part of East African Community Regional Force (EACRF),” Kulayigye noted.

 According to Kulayigye, the picture posted by Mulumba was taken when Uganda’s contingent to the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) was in Tsengero general areas on Bunagana – Rutshuru to Goma Axis and not sake.

“The UPDF has no reason to be involved in an internal conflict, except when it is a regional peace effort,” he added.

The Ugandan contingent under EACRF exited DR Congo in December last year after their mandate ended.

The only troops left in eastern DR Congo are those deployed under Operation Shujaa to hunt down Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels.