Uganda’s Discreet Role in M23 Resurgence and Recruitment Exposed, Report Says

Kinshasa, April 5, 2026 - Uganda played a discreet but significant role in the resurgence of the M23 movement, facilitating the return of its military leadership to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and serving as a recruitment hub for the group’s reconstitution, according to a new analysis.

The report outlines how, after the movement’s military defeat in 2013, most M23 fighters were relocated to Ugandan military facilities in southwestern Uganda, where they remained for several years under army supervision.

In 2017, M23 military leader Sultani Makenga reportedly left a Ugandan military camp and moved toward the border area around Mount Sabyinyo, near the tri-border zone between Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC. His departure is described as having been quietly facilitated by elements within Uganda’s military structure, allowing a gradual return of leadership figures into Congolese territory.

The analysis further indicates that Uganda later became a key recruitment base during the M23’s remobilization phase beginning in 2021, with former encampment sites serving as a pool for new fighters joining the movement. This recruitment dynamic is presented as part of a broader and informal network involving military environments and cross-border mobility.

Tensions between regional states are also cited as a contributing factor to shifting alliances, particularly between Uganda and Rwanda, as competing security interests and military deployments in eastern Congo intensified.

The report also notes allegations of coordination between elements of the Ugandan armed forces and M23 recruits during training activities conducted in border regions of eastern Congo, alongside other regional military actors.

However, it emphasizes that the exact nature of Uganda’s involvement remains complex and not fully defined, and does not clearly distinguish between official state policy and the actions of individual military actors operating within broader regional security dynamics.

Conclusion

The period from late March to early April 2026 reflects a Democratic Republic of Congo navigating between meaningful institutional progress and enduring structural fragility. While authorities in Kinshasa advanced key reforms and strengthened international partnerships, the eastern regions remain gripped by insecurity and humanitarian strain.

Institutional and Economic Foundations

The launch of the second General Population and Housing Census marks a historic step toward modern governance, supported by an $80 million commitment from the African Development Bank. This initiative aims to close a decades-long data gap, laying the groundwork for better public policy and equitable development. At the same time, renewed mining diplomacy-through agreements with China and strategic discussions on lithium and cobalt-highlights the country’s ambition to move up the global value chain and assert greater economic sovereignty.

Political Tensions and Constitutional Debate

However, political dynamics remain fragile. The debate over constitutional revision continues to polarize national actors. The National Episcopal Conference of Congo has warned against initiating reforms without broad consensus, citing the current security climate. Meanwhile, opposition figure Moïse Katumbi has firmly rejected any attempt to amend the constitution, framing it as a potential threat to democratic stability. In parallel, President Félix Tshisekedi has called for improved cooperation between provincial institutions, underscoring persistent governance challenges linked to decentralization.