Congolese police officers arrested for illegally inspecting Ugandan water project
She reassured that the situation would not disrupt the good relationship between the two countries.
Zombo: Two Congolese police officers were arrested by Ugandan security forces for illegally crossing into Uganda to inspect an ongoing water drilling project along the Uganda-DR Congo border in Awasi, Yada Parish, Jangokoro Sub-County, Zombo district, on January 10, 2025, around 2:00 PM.
The officers, who are from Bunia in DR Congo, were reportedly sent by their leaders to verify the progress of a water project being undertaken by Zombo District local government. This project is aimed at benefiting thousands of people from both Uganda and DR Congo, areas that share similar cultures, traditions, languages, and even national identity cards.
Local leaders in the area report that the Congolese authorities are claiming ownership of this Ugandan territory, which has been part of Zombo District for decades.
Grace Atim, the Deputy RDC of Zombo, confirmed the arrest, explaining that the officers entered Uganda without permission and were inspecting the water project site. “When they came, our security team arrested two of them, but others ran away. They are currently at Paidha Central Police station. We are waiting for them to be brought back so we can hand them over to our counterparts in Congo,” Atim said in an interview.
She reassured that the situation would not disrupt the good relationship between the two countries. “We don’t want this small border issue to soil the good relationship that the two countries enjoy. We shall find time to have a meeting to resolve the issue,” Atim added.
This arrest follows a similar incident on January 3, when over 50 armed DR Congo soldiers, led by the Resident District Commissioner of Mahagi Territory in Ituri Province, illegally crossed into Ugandan territory at the same spot. However, the soldiers withdrew after Zombo District leaders negotiated with their Congolese counterparts.
Authorities say such actions contravene international law, and the Resident District Commissioner of Zombo, Festus Ayikobua, has urged the Congolese authorities to use peaceful and appropriate measures to resolve territorial disputes.
The territorial dispute, which has been a source of tension for years, involves land that Uganda has administratively controlled through Zombo District local government.
The LCV Chairperson of Zombo, James Oruna Oyullu, called for the intervention of Uganda’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Kinshasa government to address the issue. “To make matters worse, the area they are claiming is not even in DR Congo; it is in Uganda at the border,” Oyullu said.
Territorial disputes between Uganda and DR Congo have persisted since the early 2000s, despite multiple efforts to resolve them amicably. Ugandan traders from Zombo District also face difficulties when crossing into DR Congo for the Awasi Weekly Market.
In May 2023, Congolese locals took control of three Ugandan villages—Acu, Oyaro, and Acu Cell—in Padea Town Council and Abanga Sub-County, escalating tensions until authorities from both countries intervened with a crisis meeting in Acu Village.
Last year, the governments of Uganda and DR Congo held a joint technical committee meeting in Goma, DR Congo, to reaffirm the shared border, develop a roadmap, and allocate funding for the demarcation of the 817 kilometers of border.
However, only 44.8 kilometers of the border have been confirmed, which includes a 28-kilometer stretch from Offo/Vura and a 16.8-kilometer section from Sarambwe/Bwindi. The extensive work required for full border demarcation remains a key challenge.
The Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to play a central role in diplomatic efforts to maintain peaceful relations and ensure the accurate demarcation of the border with DR Congo.
Do you have an advertisement or article you want to publish? Mail us at theugreports@gmail.com or WhatsApp +256394700683.
