The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Regional Cooperation), Hon. John Mulimba, has assured Parliament that Uganda has no connections to any armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Speaking during a statement to Parliament on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, Mulimba addressed concerns over the escalating conflict in eastern DRC and condemned the recent attack on Uganda’s Embassy in Kinshasa.
The minister described the ongoing conflict in the DRC as a complex issue driven by multiple factors, including ethnic tensions, citizenship disputes, economic exploitation, and high levels of youth unemployment. He emphasized that Uganda remains committed to diplomatic solutions to the conflict, citing its support for the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes aimed at mediating the crisis.
Mulimba’s statement followed a call from Parliament for an explanation of the embassy attack, first raised by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi. Ssenyonyi expressed concern over allegations that Uganda supports the M23 rebels, a claim that has repeatedly surfaced internationally. He reminded Parliament that Uganda is still in the process of paying reparations to the DRC following a court ruling on resource exploitation. He also noted the imbalance in visa policies between Uganda and the DRC, with Uganda waiving visa fees for DRC citizens under the East African Community Treaty, while the DRC has not reciprocated.
“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,” Ssenyonyi urged.
Mulimba confirmed that on Sunday, January 26, rioters attacked the Uganda Embassy in Kinshasa, looting and setting parts of the building on fire. He condemned the attack as a clear violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961). While no embassy staff were harmed, the minister 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 peace processes in Luanda and Nairobi, emphasizing that the conflict could not be resolved by military means alone. “We must intensify diplomatic and mediation efforts to achieve lasting peace,” Mulimba stated.
Despite reassurances from the minister, tensions in Parliament remained high, with MPs calling for more concrete actions to protect Uganda’s 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, suggesting that such statements may have exacerbated 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?” Ssemujju demanded.
Ssemujju also expressed concern about Uganda’s deteriorating relations with its regional neighbors, including 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 said.
As the situation continues to evolve, Parliament is pressing the government for further clarification and concrete steps to safeguard Uganda’s national interests in the DRC and the wider region.
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