The Ugandan army announced on Thursday that it has established control over the towns of Kasenyi and Tchomia in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to avert potential inter-ethnic violence. This move is part of a broader strategy amid ongoing tensions in the region, particularly relating to the influence of the M23 armed group, which has received backing from neighboring Rwanda and has made substantial territorial gains in the mineral-rich areas of eastern DRC.
Uganda’s involvement in the DRC has evolved into a more multifaceted approach. The Ugandan military has collaborated with the DRC government to combat Islamist insurgents that have been destabilizing the region. However, analysts observe that Uganda’s interests in the DRC also include economic considerations, particularly aiming to gain access to and control over valuable resources such as gold mines and to improve trade routes.
Chris Magezi, a spokesperson for the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), shared a video on social media platform X showing Ugandan troops being received warmly by local populations in Kasenyi. Magezi emphasized the operation’s purpose was to prevent inter-ethnic clashes and ensure the safety of the local citizens.
Kasenyi and Tchomia are situated in Ituri province, adjacent to Lake Albert, which serves as a natural border between Uganda and the DRC. The area is significant for its ongoing oil exploration project involving Uganda in partnership with TotalEnergies, a French multinational, and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation. This partnership underlines the strategic importance of the region, not just for security reasons but also for economic development.
Earlier in the year, in February, Uganda announced it had assumed responsibility for security in Bunia, the capital of Ituri province. This action illustrates Uganda’s ongoing military engagement in the DRC, aiming to stabilize the region while simultaneously pursuing its national interests amid a backdrop of complex geopolitical dynamics.
