Intelligence Brief | Uganda’s Surprise Reopening of M23-Held Bunagana Border Sparks Diplomatic Tensions with DRC
Ujasusi Blog’s Great Lakes Region Monitoring Team | 🗓️14 July 2025 | 🕜2345 BST
Uganda’s unilateral reopening of the Bunagana and Ishasa border crossings, located in M23-controlled eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has triggered a sharp diplomatic response from Kinshasa. The move is seen as an implicit recognition of rebel control and risks destabilising ongoing peace negotiations and regional diplomacy efforts.
🧭 Background
Bunagana is a strategic land border between Uganda’s Kisoro District and DRC’s Rutshuru Territory in North Kivu Province. Since June 2022, it has been under the control of the M23/AFC rebel alliance—one of the most potent insurgent movements in eastern DRC, with longstanding allegations of covert external support.
The M23's continued occupation of Bunagana has effectively decoupled Congolese sovereignty from actual control on the ground. Uganda's reopening of the border on Thursday, July 10, 2025, without prior coordination with Congolese authorities, marks a significant escalation in an already fragile context.
🧨 Trigger Event
On Saturday, July 12, North Kivu Governor General Evariste Kakule Somo summoned Uganda's consul to North Kivu, Isingoma Isimererwa, to Beni to demand an explanation.
The DRC government’s official absence during the reopening, combined with ongoing control of the area by rebels, has ignited concerns in Kinshasa. The 51st Council of Ministers meeting, held Friday, July 11, instructed the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs to urgently seek clarification from Uganda.