The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has signaled it may cut diplomatic ties and halt joint projects with Uganda following controversial tweets by Ugandan military chief General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Speaking to the press, DRC’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, condemned the statements, which included threats of invasion.
“These statements, which can be described as inconsiderate, are particularly concerning given the ambition the two countries share in terms of their partnership and friendship,” she stated.
Kayikwamba demanded an official and public clarification from the Ugandan government regarding whether Gen Muhoozi speaks on its behalf.
“Our Ugandan partners are well-informed that we expect clarifications, and these should be public as well,” she said, warning that a lack of credible response could force the DRC to reconsider its bilateral relations.
The minister also highlighted broader concerns about Gen. Muhoozi’s erratic communication style, which has targeted other nations in the region, including Sudan and South Sudan.
Social Media Fallout
The controversy comes as Gen. Muhoozi deactivated his X account, where he had amassed over a million followers during his decade-long presence. Known for his provocative and often polarizing posts, his tweets had previously sparked criticism both within Uganda and internationally.
In his farewell post, Gen Muhoozi cited divine inspiration for his departure.
“Under the instructions and blessings of my Lord Jesus Christ… the time has now come to leave and concentrate on His army, the UPDF,” he wrote.
The timing of the dispute is particularly delicate, as Ugandan and Congolese forces are engaged in Operation Shujaa, a joint military campaign against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group operating in eastern DRC.
Despite the shared security interests, the DRC’s leadership appears resolute in holding Uganda accountable for Gen. Muhoozi’s inflammatory remarks.
“We cannot accept bureaucratic responses from our Ugandan partners telling us that this person speaks only for himself,” Kayikwamba insisted, adding that the statements threaten regional stability.
However, earlier this week, Gen. Muhoozi reportedly reiterated Uganda’s dedication to defeating the ADF during a high-profile visit to troops involved in the operation. He urged for the total elimination of the remaining ADF fighters, stressing the importance of carrying out the instructions from Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Felix Tshisekedi of the DRC to complete the mission within this year.