The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Regional Cooperation), Hon. John Mulimba, reassured Parliament that Uganda has no affiliations with any armed factions operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Mulimba described the ongoing conflict as longstanding and fueled by various factors, including ethnic tensions, citizenship disputes, economic exploitation, and high youth unemployment rates.
The minister delivered a statement in Parliament on Wednesday, 29 January 2025, condemning the attack on Uganda’s Embassy in Kinshasa and addressing the escalating crisis in eastern DRC.
His statement was in response to Parliament’s demand for an explanation regarding the embassy attack, a matter initially raised by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi. Ssenyonyi expressed deep concern over the intensifying clashes between M23 rebels and the Congolese military, supported by United Nations (UN) peacekeeping forces.
Ssenyonyi noted that allegations of Uganda backing the M23 rebels persist in international discussions despite repeated denials from the Ugandan government.
He reminded Parliament that Uganda is still making reparations to the DRC following an international court ruling on resource exploitation and questioned Uganda’s diplomatic relationship with its western neighbor.
He further pointed out the lack of reciprocity in visa policies, emphasizing that while Uganda had waived visa fees for DRC citizens under the East African Community Treaty, the DRC had not extended the same courtesy.
“What kind of relationship do we have with the DRC? With the ongoing armed conflict, we need an update from the government, particularly on the security of our borders and the status of Ugandans caught in the crisis,” Ssenyonyi asserted.
Mulimba confirmed that on Sunday, January 26, protesters looted and set parts of Uganda’s embassy on fire, an incident he condemned as a direct violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961).
Although no embassy personnel were harmed, he assured Parliament that security had been reinforced at the premises and that the DRC government had committed to safeguarding Uganda’s diplomatic missions.
He reaffirmed Uganda’s dedication to the Luanda and Nairobi peace initiatives, which seek a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, and emphasized that Uganda remains focused on safeguarding its citizens, investments, and diplomatic interests in the DRC.
“This conflict cannot be solved through military action alone. We must strengthen diplomatic and mediation efforts to ensure long-term peace,” he stated.
With tensions escalating, Parliament is now urging the government to take more definitive measures to protect Uganda’s national interests in the region.
Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju (FDC, Kira Municipality) criticized the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) for making provocative remarks about the M23 rebels, arguing that such statements could have aggravated the situation.
“The CDF’s irresponsible comments, ridiculing Congo and appearing to endorse M23, have contributed to this crisis. Mr. Speaker, can the Ministry of Defence come before Parliament and clarify?” Ssemujju demanded.
He also raised concerns about Uganda’s deteriorating diplomatic relations with neighboring countries, referencing tensions with Kenya, Ethiopia, and now the DRC.
“We are still paying nearly a trillion shillings to the DRC for illegally exploiting its mineral resources, and now our embassy has been torched,” he added.
