Uganda has firmly refuted recent allegations suggesting its involvement in destabilizing the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The accusations, published in a controversial report, have been dismissed by Ugandan officials as baseless and harmful to ongoing peace efforts in the region.
In a strongly worded statement, the Deputy Spokesperson for the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF), Lt. Col. Deo Akiiki, criticized the report for its lack of substantiation and academic rigor.
"Uganda prioritises peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) more than any individual or entity publishing unsubstantiated, biased, and uncorroborated stories lacking academic rigor. Nobody has sought our perspective on this matter. It is perplexing why such reports falsely accuse us when our collaboration with the Congolese Forces (FARDC) against negative forces like the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) is at its peak, and the diplomatic relations between Uganda and DRC are exceptionally cordial."
The report, which surfaced earlier this week, alleges that the UPDF is involved in actions contrary to the interests of peace in eastern DRC.
However, Lt. Col. Akiiki emphasized Uganda's commitment to regional stability, highlighting the nation's deployment in DRC as part of the East African Community (EAC) regional force.
"We deployed in the DRC as part of the East African Community regional force to pursue peace, and we have a bilateral agreement with the DRC to combat the ADF. We are jointly developing infrastructure and peace-related projects with our counterparts in eastern DRC. It would be illogical for us to destabilize the same region we are working tirelessly to stabilize."
The UPDF's efforts in DRC have been focused on neutralizing the ADF, a notorious militant group responsible for numerous atrocities in the region.
This mission is part of a broader collaborative effort with the FARDC, aimed at enhancing security and fostering development in eastern DRC. The cooperation between Uganda and DRC has been praised by many observers as a model of regional partnership.
Ugandan officials are calling for a more responsible approach to reporting on such sensitive issues, urging critics to base their claims on verifiable facts and comprehensive research.
"We eagerly await evidence from this report that conclusively implicates the UPDF in these falsehoods, but it will never materialize, just like it has never been presented before. These self-proclaimed 'experts' should consult genuine experts on Eastern DRC to enhance the quality of their reports, rather than relying on armchair research that misleads the world and perpetuates conflicts," Akiiki asserted.
The Ugandan government remains resolute in its mission to support peace and development in DRC. The strong diplomatic ties between the two countries are evident in the numerous joint initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure and ensuring long-term stability in the region.
As Uganda continues to work closely with its Congolese counterparts, officials hope that accurate, balanced reporting will prevail, allowing the world to recognize the positive strides being made towards peace in the heart of Africa.
