By AGGREY BULUBA
Uganda’s Parliament has called on the government to issue an official statement regarding the recent attack on its embassy in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The attack, which involved protesters burning Uganda’s flag and vandalizing the embassy, has sparked serious concerns over diplomatic relations and regional stability.
The assault is believed to be linked to the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, where M23 rebels, primarily led by Tutsi fighters, recently captured Goma, the region’s largest city.
During a parliamentary session on Tuesday, Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi raised the issue, warning about the deteriorating security situation and its implications for Uganda-DRC relations.
“DRC is our neighbor, and many Ugandans live and work there. This situation is critical for our country,” Ssenyonyi stated. He further pointed out that Uganda’s Ambassador to the DRC has not been officially recognized for over four years, raising concerns about the strained diplomatic ties between the two nations.
Ssenyonyi also highlighted the imbalance in visa policies, noting that Uganda provides free visas to Congolese citizens under the East African Community Treaty, while the DRC does not extend the same benefit to Ugandans. He urged the government to update Parliament on the issue and explain how it plans to protect Ugandan citizens caught up in the crisis.
Additionally, he addressed allegations that Uganda may be supporting M23 rebels—an accusation the government has repeatedly denied but continues to surface in international debates. He reminded Parliament that Uganda is still making reparations to the DRC for past resource exploitation, following an international court ruling.
Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda accused Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of making inflammatory remarks about the M23 rebellion, which he believes may have contributed to the embassy attack.
“The CDF’s reckless statements, which appeared to mock Congo and sympathize with M23, played a role in provoking this situation,” Ssemujju argued.
He further warned that Uganda’s relations with neighboring countries, including Kenya, Ethiopia, and now the DRC, are worsening. “We are still paying nearly a trillion shillings to the DRC for exploiting its minerals, and now they have burned our embassy,” he lamented.
Kalungu West MP Joseph Gonzaga Ssewungu urged Uganda Airlines to reconsider flights to the DRC due to security concerns, a suggestion the airline appears to be taking seriously. “We must be vigilant because our national carrier frequently operates on this route,” he said.
The attack on Uganda’s embassy has raised fears over the safety of Ugandan citizens and businesses in the DRC, as well as Uganda’s diplomatic standing in the region.
Parliament now awaits the government’s official response to this urgent matter.
As the saying goes, “When one finger points at another, the other four point back.” Uganda must reflect on its actions, as they may have played a role in shaping this crisis.
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