Following a lightning onslaught, the rebel forces of M23 movement allegedly backed by Rwanda took control of nearly the whole city of Goma, a vital hub for the trade of minerals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in late January 2025.

Uganda Sends Troops to Bunia in North-East of DRC, Ugandan Army Announces

12:02, 19 February 2025

Ekaterina Shilova

Writer / Editor

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Since January, the M23 rebels have captured significant territories in the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu, including the cities of Goma and Bukavu. The DRC authorities accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23, which Kigali denies.

Sputnik

The Ugandan army sent troops to Bunia in the northeast of the DRC, citing "massacres of the population by militias" as justification, according to a military spokesperson.

Last weekend, rebels from the M23 group took over Bukavu, the provincial capital of South Kivu. Bunia, which is located near Uganda, is also frequently targeted by armed groups.

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The head of the Ugandan armed forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, had previously given 24 hours to "all forces in Bunia to surrender their weapons." He warned on his X that if they did not comply, they would be attacked.

Earlier, at the end of January, the Ugandan army announced that it would "strengthen its defenses" in eastern DRC against armed groups, without giving further details.