Congo unless "all forces" there surrendered their arms within 24 hours. Kainerugaba, who has a history of posting provocative comments on foreign policy, said he had the authority of President Yoweri Museveni, who is also his father. A spokesman for Uganda's military said he could not comment on the matter.

Saturday, Kainerugaba had said, without providing evidence, that people from the Bahima ethnic group were being killed. "My people, the Bahima, are being attacked. That's a very dangerous situation for those attacking my people. No one on this earth can kill my people and think he will not suffer for it!" he said. "Bunia will soon be in UPDF hands," he said in a separate post, referring to the Uganda People's Defence Force. The threat from Uganda's top military officer, who is widely believed to be the heir apparent to his father, stokes fears that a conflict between Congolese forces and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels could flare into a wider regional war.