UPDF denies military support to M23 rebels in DRC

By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,

NATIONAL

”The claims that we support M23 are ide, redundant and uninformed,” Brig. Gen. Felix Kulaigye UPDF spokesperson.

Kulaigye was responding to recent allegations by section of Congolese lawyers, senators, Civil Societ Groups and protesters inwhich they accused Uganda of violation of arms embargo and direct military support to M23 rebels at Bunagana border to frustrate Congolese army – FARDC in Eastern DRC.

Congolese lawyers under their umbrella, Together for Change recently issued a statement petitioning Kinshasa to expel Uganda’s ambassador to DRC and close the two countries common borders on allegations that the former’s government is aiding rebels that are distanilizing peace in the latter country.

The demands follow weeks after the Supreme Defence Council of Congo expelled Rwandan envoy Vincent Karega after protestors accused Rwanda of sending thousands of troops to help M23 against Congolese army.

However, speaking to reports, the UPDF spokesperson Brig. Gen. Felix Kulaigye lashed the accusations as mere malicious allegations noting that Ugandan army and the FARDC are closely working together to ensure peace and stability in Eastern DRC.

“We support the peaceful settlement of issues in DRC. We have been part of the process of looking for peace for a long time. We have been receiving Congolese solidiers, civilians running away from conflict and we did not disarm or detain them. We treated them and later handed them to Congolese government. When I hear that we support M23, I get annoyed,” Kulaigye said

“The claims that we support M23 are idle, redundant and uninformed,” he added.

In an interview with journalists, the Congolese government spokesperson Patrick Muayaya could neither admit nor dismiss the accusations.

But, he disclosed that government is still carrying out investigations regarding the accusations before any actions are made.

On another hand, Ofwono Opondo, the spokesperson of Ugandan government says that the relationship between either countries is still warm despite the allegations.

“Our relationship with FARDC and the president of Congo and his cabinet is warm,” Ofwono Opondo said