Congolese Police officers arrested for illegally inspecting  Ugandan Water Project in Zombo

By Mike Rwothomio

Two Congolese police officers  were  arrested by Ugandan Security forces for  illegally crossing into a  Ugandan territory, to inspect an ongoing water drilling project along Uganda-DR Congo border in  Awasi border,  Yada Parish, Jangokoro Sub-County, Zombo district on January 10, 2025 at around 2:00 PM.

The two unidentified Congolese officers  from Bunia in DR COngo being held at Paidha Central Police station, were reportedly sent by their leaders to verify an ongoing water drilling project being undertaken by Zombo District local government in the area.

The water project   is expected to benefit thousands of people from both Uganda and DR Congo, who share similar cultures, traditions, languages, and even national identity cards.

Local leaders report that the Congolese are claiming ownership of that  Ugandan territory,  which has been under  Zombo District local government for decades.

The Deputy RDC of Zombo Grace Atim Confirmed the arrest of the two, noting that they  entered Uganda without any permission and were inspecting  the site where Zombo District is undertaking a water drilling project.

” 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 and we hand them over to our counterpart in Congo ” Atim told this Publication in an interview.

She assured of calm saying ” we don’t want this small border issue to soil good relationship that the two countries enjoy, we shall find time and have a meeting to resolve the issue ” 

Last week on January 3, 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, but immediately withdrew, thanks to Zombo District   leaders swift  compromise with the Congolese counterpart.

Authorities say the act outrightly contravenes international law.

The Resident District Commissioner of Zombo Festus Ayikobua recently advised the Congolese authorities to use appropriate and amicable measures to resolve issues. 

Local leaders say the territorial boundary being claimed by the Congolese authorities has been used by Uganda, through the Zombo District local government, for decades.

To offer Parmanent solution to the ongoing border district, the  LCV Chairperson of Zombo, James Oruna Oyullu, has called for the intervention of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Kinshasa government.

Oyullu last week said ” to make matters worse, the area they are claiming is not even in DR Congo; it is in Uganda at the border.”

Since the early 2000s, long-standing territorial disputes between Uganda and DR Congo have persisted, despite continuous efforts by both states to resolve them amicably.

Currently, Ugandan traders, mainly from  Zombo District, complain about the harsh treatment they face from Congolese authorities when crossing into the Awasi Weekly Market in DR Congo.

Similarly, in  May, 2023,  Congolese locals took over three Ugandan villages—Acu, Oyaro, and Acu Cell—in Padea Town Council and Abanga Sub-County. This stoked tensions in the community until authorities from DR Congo and Uganda convened a crisis meeting at Acu Village to resolve the matter.

Last year, the governments of Uganda and DR Congo held a significant joint technical committee meeting in Goma, DR Congo, aimed at reaffirming their common border, developing a comprehensive roadmap, and budgeting for the demarcation of the 817 kilometers of their shared border.

Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to play a central role in executing crucial diplomatic engagements with DR Congo. These efforts are vital for maintaining peaceful relations and achieving a clear demarcation between the two countries.

According to Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, only 44.8 kilometers of the border have been reaffirmed to date. This includes a 28-kilometer stretch from Offo/Vura and a 16.8-kilometer section from Sarambwe/Bwindi, reflecting progress but highlighting the extensive work still required to fully demarcate the entire border.