Ugandan Forces Enter Mahagi
NAIROBI, Kenya—The conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) just got more complicated.
Uganda has officially deployed troops into Mahagi, a northeastern town in Ituri province, in a move that could signal deeper regional involvement in the escalating violence.
Uganda’s defence and military affairs spokesman, Felix Kulayigye, confirmed the deployment on Sunday, stating that Ugandan forces have taken control of Mahagi.
“Our troops have entered Mahagi town, and we are in control,” Kulayigye told AFP.
The operation comes at the request of the Congolese army, following alleged massacres by the notorious Cooperative for the Development of Congo (Codeco) militia.
This group, which claims to protect the interests of the Lendu community against the Hema community, has been accused of a deadly attack on February 10, killing at least 51 people, according to humanitarian sources.
#UGANDA: The Ugandan army confirmed Sunday it has sent troops to another town in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo to fight local armed groups, amid fears a raging conflict could spiral into a wider war.“Our troops have entered Mahagi town and we are in control,”…
A Widening Conflict in Eastern DRC
Uganda already has thousands of troops operating in different parts of Ituri under an agreement with the Congolese government.
Just last month, Ugandan forces took control of Bunia, the provincial capital.
Meanwhile, violence continues to engulf North and South Kivu, where the M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, seized key territories earlier this year.
The presence of multiple foreign forces in the region has alarmed analysts, who warn that the conflict is becoming increasingly reminiscent of the Second Congo War (1998–2003)—one of Africa’s deadliest wars, which involved several neighboring countries and resulted in millions of deaths.
Could This Spark a Regional War?
With Uganda expanding its military footprint and Rwanda backing the M23 rebels, fears are mounting that the conflict could escalate into a full-blown regional war.
The prospect of Ugandan and Rwandan forces operating in close proximity raises concerns of direct confrontations between the two nations, whose relations have been historically tense.
For now, Uganda insists its primary objective is to combat local militias like Codeco and support Congolese forces in restoring stability. However, the broader implications of this deployment remain uncertain.
