KAMPALA, Uganda — Ugandan troops have entered the eastern Congolese city of Bunia to help local forces stop deadly violence by armed groups, a military spokesman said Tuesday.

Uganda will attack the town of Bunia in neighbouring eastern Congo unless "all forces" there surrender their arms within 24 hours, the chief of Ugandan defence forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, said in a post on X on Saturday.

The development comes days after CDF, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba said UPDF would deploy in Bunia, which is located about 40 kilometers from Congo’s border with Uganda, unless "all forces"

The Ugandan troop deployment comes as the Congolese army faces a major challenge from rebel groups seeking to control the mineral-rich region.

Uganda deployed more forces to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, highlighting the growing risk of a widening conflict in the unrest-prone, mineral-rich region.

Ugandan troops have entered the city of Bunia in the Democratic Republic of Congo at the request of local authorities. According to the statement, the purpose is to protect the civilian population from rebel attacks.

Ugandan troops have entered the city of Bunia in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the request of local authorities. According to a statement, their purpose is to protect the civilian population from rebel attacks.