Ugandans in DR Congo celebrate 61st independence anniversary

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Ugandans and the Embassy of Uganda in the Democratic Republic of Congo, have organised colourful celebrations to mark Uganda’s 61st Independence Day celebrations. 

Being away from home did not deny Ugandans and their friends in the DR Congo the chance to enjoy the day celebrated since Uganda got independence on October 9, 1962.

The event took place on Sunday, November 19, at the Fleuve Congo Hotel in Kinshasa, attended by regional cooperation state minister John Mulimba. 

Uganda’s head of mission in Kinshasa, Amb. Farid Kaliisa said the celebration ought to have taken place on October 9 this year but owing to multiple concurrent programmes, including the holding of the 8^th Session of the DRC-Uganda Joint Permanent Commission meeting, which was held in Kinshasa around the same period, the Embassy had no other choice but to postpone it. 

Kaliisa said that Uganda has made significant progress in many areas, building a strong democracy, a vibrant economy, and a peaceful and stable society after the country went through several nation-building hardships.  

He noted that Uganda has played a leading role in promoting regional integration and peace and security in Africa. 

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Government and people of the Democratic Republic of Congo for their continued friendship and support to Uganda.

Our two countries share a strong bond of friendship and cooperation, and I am confident that our relationship will continue to grow stronger in the years to come,” Kaliisa said. 

He addressed social media claims that Uganda grabbed part of DR Congo land in Busanza, Kisoro District, saying it is completely false and must be dismissed with the contempt it deserves. 

“Uganda as a land-linked country cannot and will not take any piece of land of a neighbouring country, let alone the sisterly country of DR Congo.

This is the work of our enemies who normally feel hurt whenever they see the bilateral relations between DRC and Uganda deepening,” Kaliisa explained. 

“If there are any disagreements between the two countries, just the way brothers or sisters may have a problem at home, there are robust mechanisms we have put in place to address them,” he added. 

“Therefore, the border issue will be addressed by border committees of the two countries as directed by the 8th Session of the Joint Permanent Commission Meeting,” he added. 

Kaliisa said that technical border experts from the two countries were to go to the border to resolve the issue from November 12-15, 2023, but the DR Congo experts did not turn up because of some challenges.  

He prayed that they resolve this challenge very soon and that the matter would get out of the way.