Kigali, March 20, 2025-Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (UPDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, arrived in Kigali today, where he was received by Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Mubarakh Muganga. Muhoozi, who also serves as a special military advisor to his father, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has long expressed admiration for Rwandan President Paul Kagame, often referring to him as “uncle” in his social media posts. His visit, however, comes at a critical moment in regional geopolitics, and he is expected to meet Kagame, further raising speculation about Uganda’s real positioning in the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
While Rwanda has consistently defended itself against accusations of backing the M23 rebel group by pointing out that some of its fighters crossed from Uganda into the DRC in 2021, the international community and Kinshasa have rarely accused Uganda of supporting M23. Instead, Uganda maintains a military presence in eastern DRC under the guise of joint operations with Congolese forces to eliminate armed groups. Currently, the UPDF is stationed in Beni, Butembo, and Bunia, expanding its influence without facing the same international condemnation that Rwanda endures.
Recent developments suggest a divergence in Uganda and Rwanda’s approaches. Muhoozi has previously declared that UPDF would control the entire Uganda-DRC border, and his social media activity has hinted at support for M23, further complicating Uganda’s positioning. Notably, the RDF and M23 recently withdrew from some villages around Rubero, just days after Muhoozi tweeted that Rwanda’s influence should not extend beyond 20 km south of Rubero.
The contrast between Uganda’s and Rwanda’s approaches to the DRC is stark. While Rwanda has been accused of forcefully expanding its territorial reach in eastern Congo through the M23, suffering casualties and mounting international pressure, Uganda has strategically occupied Congolese territory through “cooperation” with Kinshasa. This arrangement allows Uganda to expand its footprint without facing direct military confrontation or diplomatic fallout.
Muhoozi’s likely meeting with Kagame adds another layer of intrigue. Will the two leaders coordinate their next moves in the DRC, or will Muhoozi’s visit signal Uganda’s growing assertiveness in carving out its own influence in the region? As the crisis in eastern DRC escalates, Uganda’s dual strategy of military presence and diplomatic maneuvering continues to blur the lines between cooperation and competition with Rwanda.
For further analysis, read more here: The Rwandan
Therwandan
