Zombo establishes new market to avoid traders’ mistreatment in DRC

Zombo: Leaders in Zombo District, Uganda, have inaugurated a new market on Ugandan territory at Awasi Trading Center in Jangokoro Sub-county.

This initiative is a direct response to the increasing mistreatment of Ugandan traders at the Awasi market in DR Congo.

The market, which will operate weekly on Mondays and Thursdays, is strategically located in Busia and Ogwarunen villages within Yada Parish and is open to both Ugandan and Congolese traders.

Local leaders have expressed their belief that the new Awasi Market will repurpose the underutilized border area, transforming it into a dynamic center of activity.

The decision was driven by complaints from Ugandan traders, who have reported extortion and being coerced into selling goods under unfavorable conditions by local authorities in DR Congo.

Sadiki Onencan, the district social services committee chairperson, shared with this publication on Sunday, January 19, 2025, that the establishment of the market aims to address trader mistreatment, improve safety, and boost local revenue.

“We sat down with our Ugandan traders and agreed to temporarily start the market at the Awasi Primary School playground, and on the first day, Thursday, it operated peacefully,” Onencan said.

This move comes amidst rising tensions following an incident two weeks ago when over fifty Congolese soldiers briefly entered Ugandan territory in Awasi, claiming ownership of the area. Ugandan leaders in Zombo intervened to resolve the dispute, raising concerns about the infringement of international territorial laws by the DR Congo government.

David Binen Arua, the District Councillor of Jangokoro Sub-county, has rallied the community to support the newly established market and revealed that the Sub-county is in the process of acquiring land for its permanent establishment.

This market aligns with the district’s broader effort to promote the creation of markets across all 15 lower local governments in Zombo to support budding entrepreneurs and contribute to a self-sustaining economy.

Binwengi Nasis, the district secretary of finance, planning, and administration, recently recommended the acquisition of land for a permanent Ugandan market. He highlighted the repeated concerns from Ugandan traders crossing into DR Congo.

Tensions have flared in the area over a territorial boundary dispute where Uganda is undertaking a water drilling project, which Congolese authorities have claimed as their own.

Despite these tensions, Assistant RDC of Zombo, Bruno Manano, reassured residents of the area’s security, noting that diplomatic relations between Uganda and DR Congo are being managed at higher levels.

Local reactions

Many local traders have welcomed the creation of the new market, with some pointing to the “extortion” practices by Congolese authorities in the DR Congo’s Awasi market.

Ronald, a resident of Lelu in Jangokoro Sub-county, expressed relief, recounting how he was repeatedly coerced by Congolese authorities for not carrying a national identity card.

Slot Richard Odaga, a boda boda rider from the Padea border town council, noted that many Ugandan boda boda riders are now more cautious in trading with DR Congo passengers due to the frosty relationship between locals of the two countries.

Zombo Resident District Commissioner, Festus Ayikobua, confirmed that they are actively engaging with Congolese authorities to resolve misunderstandings and prevent further conflict.

Local leaders pointed out that the territory now claimed by Congolese authorities has been historically used by Uganda through Zombo District for several decades.

Ongoing border disputes

The territorial disputes between Uganda and DR Congo, which have persisted since the early 2000s, remain unresolved despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.

In May 2023, Congolese locals took control of three Ugandan villages Acu, Oyaro, and Acu Cellin Padea Town Council and Abanga Sub-county, causing significant tensions.

This was resolved after a crisis meeting between Ugandan and DR Congo authorities at Acu Village.

The governments of Uganda and DR Congo held a joint technical committee meeting in Goma, DR Congo, last year to reaffirm their common border and work on a comprehensive roadmap for demarcating their shared 817-kilometer border.

To date, only 44.8 kilometers of the border have been reaffirmed, including stretches from Offo/Vura and Sarambwe/Bwindi, demonstrating progress but also highlighting the extensive work remaining to fully demarcate the border.

Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to play a central role in the diplomatic engagement with DR Congo to ensure peaceful relations and a clear demarcation of the border.

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