Uganda Deploys 1,000 More Soldiers to Eastern Congo Amid M23 Conflict.

Some of the Ugandan soldiers in Congo during the operation shujaa courtesy image.

Kampala, Uganda – Uganda has deployed an additional 1,000 soldiers to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) near the area where the Congolese army is engaged in heavy fighting with M23 rebels, according to diplomatic and United Nations sources.

The troops, part of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), were officially sent to Congo under the ongoing military operation known as Operation Shujaa, which aims to combat other insurgent groups in the region. However, their presence near the M23 conflict zone has raised concerns about a potential escalation of hostilities in the already volatile region.

In January 2023, Uganda’s then-Defence Minister Vincent Ssempijja informed Parliament’s Defence Committee that his ministry urgently required 21.5 billion Ugandan shillings for the mission in eastern Congo. The funding was expected to support logistical operations, military supplies, and troop maintenance as part of Uganda’s continued involvement in regional security efforts.

The deployment comes amid heightened tensions, as the M23 rebel group—reportedly backed by Rwanda—continues to battle the Congolese government forces. The conflict has already strained diplomatic relations between Rwanda and the DRC, with Kinshasa accusing Kigali of destabilizing the region by supporting the rebels. Rwanda has consistently denied these allegations.

Eastern Congo has been a hotspot of armed conflicts for decades. Between 1996 and 1997 and later from 1998 to 2003, the region witnessed devastating wars that claimed the lives of millions. The current resurgence of violence has raised fears of another humanitarian crisis, with thousands of civilians already displaced.

As the situation unfolds, international observers are closely monitoring developments, with calls for diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in a region already burdened by decades of war and instability.

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