Members of Parliament on the foreign affairs committee raised concern about the security of Ugandans leaving and operating businesses in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
While in a meeting with the officials led by Deputy Ambassador H.E. Frankman Matata Twaha from Uganda’s embassy in Kinshasa, committee MPs on Tuesday 11th /April/2023, stated that tight security should be given to the Ugandans operating in the DRC in order to promote the spirit of the East African Community (EAC).
According to the deputy chair of the committee, Hon. Boaz Ninsiima, security is a pertinent issue that ought to be addressed expeditiously because the DRC is one of Uganda’s big trade partners in the East African Community.
He added that they can request for more funds in order to address insecurity, or they can find a way as an embassy to prioritize the matter because they cannot leave it pending.
Hon. Allan Atugonze of Buliisa County stated that there have been rampant arbitrary arrests and detentions of Ugandans leaving and working in the DRC.
In response, H.E. Matata revealed that some Ugandans misunderstood the political announcement that the DRC was joining the EAC and took it for granted that they could move without proper documentation.
“I attribute 80 percent of arrests of Ugandans in the DRC to improper documentation, and there is an urgent need for sensitization of people on these matters,” Ambassador Matata said.
He, however, revealed that last month, over seven Ugandans were released from prison through their efforts and also promised to make a robust follow-up on the alleged detained Ugandans in the DRC.
Jennifer Muheesi, the NRM woman Member of Parliament for Kazo district, tasked the ambassador to shed more light on the causes of insecurity against Ugandans in the DRC and continue to pursue the release of other Ugandan detainees.
DRC officially joined the East African Community bloc on 8th April 2022 making it the 7th country to join the bloc.
