General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, has issued warning to white mercenaries operating in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

“I’m going to give only ONE WARNING to ALL white mercenaries operating in eastern DRC. From 2nd January 2025 we will attack all mercenaries in our area of operations”, he stated

In a text through his X account, Kainerugaba vowed that the Ugandan military will not spare any mercenaries in their areas of operation starting January 2nd, 2025.

“In the Name of Jesus Christ, the God of all Bachwezi, there shall not be left one white mercenary in DRC this time next year!!!”, Kainerugaba tweeted

This announcement marks a significant shift in Uganda’s military strategy in the region, as they aim to address the presence of foreign mercenaries involved in the ongoing conflict.

Muhoozi’s announcement follows after DRC armed forces lost control of Matembe, a town in North Kivu province located on the road to the key commercial hub of Butembo, after clashes broke out Sunday with the M23, according to the local and military sources.

Report from a spokesman for a pro-Kinshasa militia operating alongside the army in the area, told an international media , AFPF, that fighting resumed early Monday “in the hills between Matembe and the neighbouring town of Vutsorovya”, John Mahangaiko.

A Congolese military source confirmed that the army was forced to “retreat”.

According to the Congolese presidency, negotiations hit a deadlock due to a Rwandan demand that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) hold direct dialogue with the M23 rebels.

This impasse led to the cancellation of peace talks that were scheduled to take place in Angola.

It is believed that the M23 rebels, who are backed by Rwanda, have been a significant source of conflict in the eastern DRC, displacing thousands and creating a humanitarian crisis.