The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Regional Cooperation), John Mulimba has reassured Parliament that Uganda is not associated with any armed factions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
He characterized the ongoing conflicts as long-standing issues fueled by various elements such as ethnic tensions, disputes over citizenship, economic exploitation, and high rates of youth unemployment.
While delivering a statement to Parliament on January 29, 2025, Mulimba condemned the recent attack on Uganda’s Embassy in Kinshasa and addressed the worsening situation in eastern DRC.
His remarks came in response to Parliament’s request for clarification regarding the embassy attack. The issue was initially brought to light by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, who voiced significant concerns about the intensifying conflict involving the M23 rebels and the Congolese army, which is supported by United Nations (UN) peacekeepers.
Ssenyonyi pointed out that accusations of Uganda backing the M23 rebels continue to emerge on the global stage, despite the government’s consistent denials.
He reminded Parliament that Uganda is still fulfilling its obligation to pay reparations to the DRC as mandated by a court ruling regarding resource exploitation.
Additionally, he emphasized the disparity in visa policies, mentioning that although Uganda has eliminated visa fees for DRC citizens in accordance with the East African Community Treaty, the DRC has yet to offer similar concessions.
“What kind of relationship do we have with the DRC? And now, with the ongoing armed conflict, we need an update from the government especially on the situation along our borders and the status of Ugandans trapped by the conflict,” he added.
Mulimba confirmed that on Sunday, January 26, rioters looted and set parts of the embassy alight, an act he described as a blatant violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961).
While no embassy staff were harmed, he assured Parliament that the premises had been secured and that the DRC government had pledged to protect Uganda’s diplomatic missions.
He reiterated Uganda’s commitment to the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes, which seek to mediate the conflict and assured Parliament that Uganda remains committed to protecting its citizens, investments, and diplomatic interests in the DRC.
“This conflict cannot be resolved by military means alone. We must intensify diplomatic and mediation efforts to achieve lasting peace,” he said.
With tensions running high, Parliament is now pressing the government for more concrete actions to safeguard Uganda’s national interests in the region.
Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju (FDC, Kira Municipality) accused the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of making inflammatory remarks about the M23 rebels, arguing that such statements may have worsened the situation.
“The reckless conduct of the CDF, mocking Congo and seemingly supporting M23, has partly caused this trouble. Mr Speaker, can the Ministry of Defence come here and explain?” he demanded.
Ssemujju also pointed to Uganda’s deteriorating relations with regional neighbours, citing tensions with Kenya, Ethiopia, and now the DRC.
“We are still paying nearly a trillion shillings to the DRC for stealing its mineral resources, and now our embassy has been set on fire,” he noted.
