Is Uganda Behind the New Rebel Group in Ituri?

A former convict of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Thomas Lubanga officially announced the creation of his rebellion, named the "Convention for Popular Revolution" (CRP), on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Kampala..

Former ICC convict Thomas Lubanga unveils the "Convention for Popular Revolution" (CRP) in Kampala on March 11, 2025.

Uganda’s shadowy hand seems to be at work once again! Thomas Lubanga, a former convict of the International Criminal Court (ICC), has just announced a new rebellion, called the "Convention for Popular Revolution" (CRP), on March 11, 2025, in Kampala and right in Uganda’s capital!

This dangerous group was not formed alone. It has the backing of powerful political and military figures from Ituri, and coincidence or not, it is supported by an armed wing known as the "Forces for Popular Revolution" (FRP).

They claim this rebellion is to restore peace and stability, but the truth is clear: this is yet another trick to plunge Ituri into chaos while certain foreign actors continue to steal resources and profit from our suffering.

Uganda’s Hidden Agenda

How is it possible that a rebellion is formed in Uganda without its government knowing? Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) claim to be allies, yet Uganda allows a rebel group to organize on its soil. This is no accident.

Experts like Jimmy Kioma, a governance and security researcher, have no doubt about Uganda’s role in this. He warns that Uganda is actively supporting this rebellion while pretending to be a friend of the DRC.

Uganda has long benefited from the illegal trade in Ituri’s natural wealth. Our gold and timber are smuggled through Uganda, enriching its economy while our people suffer. This new rebellion is just another way for Uganda to keep the conflict going so it can keep stealing from us.

"Uganda is fueling the violence to take everything we have. They want us weak and desperate so they can rob us without resistance. They are looting our resources while pretending to help us. Our gold is being stolen, and now they are creating a rebellion to repeat history," says Kioma.

The Gold Mafia

Uganda’s greed is well documented. French researcher Pierre Jacquemot has shown how Uganda illegally profits from Congolese gold. In 2023 alone, Uganda exported $2.7 billion worth of gold, much of it stolen from our lands and soaked in Congolese blood.

A 2024 Swissaid study confirms that Uganda boosts its economy through the illegal exploitation of our gold. Uganda is not alone; Rwanda has also been involved in this looting operation, draining our country while pretending to be neutral.

How much longer will we allow this theft? How much longer will we let foreign hands profit from our misery?

This so-called "revolution" is nothing but a front for Uganda’s agenda. The CRP has gathered dangerous rebel groups like Zaïre, CODECO, Chini Ya Tuna, UPB, ALPC, and FPIC, forming a force that could plunge Ituri into more bloodshed.

People are afraid, and rightly so. More violence means more suffering for civilians, while those in Uganda continue to get richer off our resources.

Meanwhile, the Congolese army has remained silent on this issue. Why? Will our government finally stand up and expose Uganda’s role in this disaster?

The people of Ituri deserve the truth. The world must wake up and see Uganda’s double game before it’s too late. If nothing is done, history will repeat itself, and the blood of innocent Congolese people will once again pay for Uganda’s greed.

By Serge Kabongo