Gen. Muhoozi Warns DRC: Stop Ethnic Killings or Face Consequences

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), has issued a strong warning to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over alleged killings of the Bahima and Batutsi communities in eastern DRC.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Muhoozi urged the Congolese people to stop targeting these ethnic groups. He called for immediate action against perpetrators, warning that failure to do so would have serious consequences.

Muhoozi emphasized that he holds deep respect for the Congolese people and believes they feel the same toward him. He urged them to arrest and punish extremists responsible for the killings.

In a direct threat, he stated that if the violence did not cease, Uganda would demand proof that the attackers were punished. Otherwise, Ugandan forces would seize the town of Mahagi in eastern DRC.

The Bahima, a Bantu ethnic group, share ancestry with Muhoozi’s Ugandan lineage. He has previously highlighted this connection in discussions about ethnic tensions affecting Congolese communities related to the Batutsi.

In a now-deleted post, Muhoozi announced that public executions of criminals in eastern DRC were scheduled for February 28 in Beni. He claimed that North Kivu’s governor had his approval.

This is not the first time Muhoozi has threatened intervention in the DRC. Recently, he issued an ultimatum regarding armed groups in Bunia, warning them to surrender their weapons within 24 hours.

His threats led to Ugandan troop deployments in Bunia alongside Congolese forces to combat increasing violence. The ongoing conflict, fueled by M23 rebels, has intensified ethnic tensions in the region.

The M23, a predominantly Tutsi-led group, has gained significant ground in North and South Kivu. Allegedly backed by Rwanda, its activities have heightened fears of retaliatory attacks against related ethnic groups.

Muhoozi’s statements add to the region’s instability, raising concerns about a potential Ugandan military intervention in DRC. The situation remains volatile as ethnic and geopolitical tensions continue to escalate