The Minister of State for Regional Affairs, John Mulimba has revealed that President Museveni has expressed availability to participate in regional peace talks to ensure an end to the hostilities in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Mulimba made the remarks while presenting a statement on the situation in DRC where he also distanced Uganda from having a hand in the ongoing conflict and assured Parliament that no staff was injured during the attack on Uganda’s Embassy in Kinshasa yesterday.
“Yesterday, our Embassy in Kinshasa was attacked by rioters triggered by the developments in Goma, where looting and burning of Embassy property took place. The incident is a violation of the Vienna convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) and we condemn it in the strongest terms. Fortunately, no Embassy staff was harmed and it has been determined that they remain safe, and the Embassy premises have now been secured. Last evening, we received assurances from the DRC Government that appropriate security measures have been taken and the situation in Kinshasa is under control,” remarked Mulimba.
“As we have said before, the problems of the Great Lakes Region cannot be resolved by military means. This approach has been tried before, and unfortunately has its limits and unnecessarily prolongs the resolution of problems. President Yoweri Museveni and the Government of Uganda remain available to participate in regional peace initiatives to ensure the cessation of hostilities as soon as possible,” noted Mulimba.
“This is a protracted conflict with a long history of misjudgments and external interference. A multiplicity of factors including ethnicity, citizenship, mineral and economic exploitation, and youth unemployment, continue to fuel the conflict. We therefore, take this opportunity to categorically state and clarify that the Republic of Uganda disassociates itself from the activities of armed belligerent groups in the DRC,” noted Minister Mulimba.
The government also expressed concerns about the impact the unrest in DRC will have on Uganda’s humanitarian sector, which is already home to over 560,000 Congolese nationals.
“We are deeply concerned about the escalation of tensions in eastern DRC that have led to massive displacement of people with likely consequential pressure on the Republic of Uganda, which already hosts more than 560,000 refugees from the DRC alone,” said Mulumba.
Minister Mulimba also defended the suspension of Uganda Airlines flights to DRC explaining that it is prudent under the circumstances as the government continues to monitor the situation which is fast-changing
“The decision to suspend Uganda Airlines flights to Kinshasa announced yesterday is prudent under the circumstances as we continue to monitor the situation which is fast-changing. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is assessing practical means to provide consular or other emergency services to Ugandan nationals resident in DRC as the need arises, and will inform the public in due course of the measures.”
In a statement issued on Tuesday, 28 January 2025, Uganda Airlines said this is a precaution to ensure safety of travellers following reports of continued fighting between the rebels and the DR Congo forces around Goma in the east.
“Uganda Airlines wishes to inform the public of the suspension of its flights to Kinshasa with immediate effect. The suspension has become necessary as a result of the ongoing unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including in the Capital Kinshasa,” they said in a statement.
“Flights will remain suspended until the situation warrants normal operations. For more information about your flight, please contact our Global Call Centre on 4.256 200 406 400,” they added.
The M23 rebels have taken over Goma, the capital of North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This recent development has led to the displacement of over 400,000 people and prompted the DRC to cut off diplomatic ties with Rwanda, accusing the country of supporting the rebels.
The situation has been escalating since 2022, with tensions between the DRC and Rwanda heightening due to the M23’s resurgence. The rebels have been accused of receiving support from Rwanda, which Rwanda denies. The conflict has resulted in significant humanitarian needs, with thousands of people forced to flee their homes.
The international community has been calling for a ceasefire and de-escalation of tensions. The East African Community has demanded that the M23 withdraw from occupied territories, and the US has condemned Rwanda’s alleged support of the rebels.
Museveni ready for regional peace talks over DRC tensions
