‘I Will Not Allow Kabila To Be President Again,’ Uganda Army Chief Declares Support for Tshisekedi in Congo Conflict

In an extraordinary diplomatic intervention, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has publicly vowed to block former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila from returning to power, while firmly pledging support for incumbent President Félix Tshisekedi.

“I will not let Joseph Kabila become a President of DRC again! You can forget about that,” Gen. Muhoozi declared in a series of pointed tweets on Friday that have sent shockwaves through regional diplomatic circles.

Military Chief’s Unprecedented Stance

The unusually direct statements from Uganda’s top military official came just hours after Rwanda and DRC signed a U.S.-brokered peace agreement in Washington, D.C., witnessed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The timing suggests a coordinated effort to reinforce Uganda’s position in the complex regional power dynamics.

Muhoozi didn’t mince words in his criticism of Kabila’s security record, particularly regarding the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a terrorist group that has caused devastation in both Uganda and eastern Congo.

“Kabila allowed ADF to subsist in Eastern DRC for 17 years. He never allowed us to take action against them. H.E. Tshisekedi is much better than him in that respect,” the general wrote, before concluding with a personal endorsement: “My big brother, H.E. Felix Tshisekedi, is President of DRC and I will support him as much as possible.”

Economic Stakes in Regional Stability

Uganda’s increasingly assertive position in DRC politics reflects its growing economic interests in the mineral-rich nation.

According to Bank of Uganda data, DRC has become Uganda’s second-largest export market after Kenya, with formal exports exceeding $500 million in 2023. When informal cross-border trade is factored in, the total approaches $700 million annually.

Since DRC joined the East African Community in 2022, trade integration has accelerated, with Uganda exporting cement, iron, steel products, foodstuffs, and petroleum to its western neighbor.

Infrastructure investments including the Mpondwe One-Stop Border Post and road construction projects linking Uganda to eastern Congolese towns have further cemented these economic ties.

Tshisekedi vs. Kabila: A Security Calculation

The stark contrast between Tshisekedi’s and Kabila’s approaches to regional security cooperation appears to be a driving factor behind Uganda’s position.

Under Tshisekedi’s administration, Uganda launched “Operation Shujaa,” a joint military offensive targeting ADF strongholds in eastern Congo—an initiative repeatedly blocked during Kabila’s 18-year presidency.

“The preference for Tshisekedi is clearly driven by security imperatives,” noted a regional security analyst.

“Under Kabila, Uganda’s hands were effectively tied against threats emanating from Congolese territory.”

More troubling for Uganda’s strategic interests are allegations that networks associated with Kabila have supported armed groups including the M23 rebels and the newly formed Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), both of which have destabilized eastern provinces and threatened key trade corridors.

President Tshisekedi himself has accused Kabila of being the “real leader” behind the AFC rebel movement, which has formed a tactical alliance with M23 insurgents challenging the central government’s authority.

Kabila’s Controversial Reemergence

Adding fuel to these suspicions, Kabila, who now resides in Southern Africa, recently visited Goma—a city in Eastern DRC currently under AFC/M23 rebel control.

According to reports, the former president remarked that he felt “safer” in rebel-held Goma than elsewhere in DRC, a statement widely interpreted as confirming his links to the insurgent movements.

This visit appears to have triggered Muhoozi’s forceful response, with the Ugandan general effectively drawing a red line against any political comeback by the former president.

Regional Implications

Muhoozi’s declaration comes at a pivotal moment in regional politics. The U.S.-brokered Declaration of Principles for Peace commits both Rwanda and DRC to respecting sovereignty and dismantling armed groups along their shared borders—objectives that align with Uganda’s strategic interests.

By publicly aligning with Tshisekedi while denouncing Kabila, Uganda is positioning itself as a guardian of stability in a region where competition for mineral resources and geopolitical influence has frequently fueled conflict.

For Uganda, the stakes extend beyond security concerns.

Eastern Congo represents one of Africa’s largest untapped markets, offering significant opportunities for Ugandan businesses in sectors ranging from agriculture and energy to construction and logistics.

As DRC approaches its next political transition, Gen. Muhoozi’s unprecedented intervention signals that Uganda is prepared to take an active role in shaping its neighbor’s future—prioritizing partners who support regional stability and economic integration while sidelining those perceived as destabilizing forces.

The message from Kampala is unmistakable: Uganda views its future prosperity as inextricably linked to a stable, Tshisekedi-led DRC, and will oppose any attempt by Kabila to reclaim power through either electoral or insurgent means.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​