(ARUA) – Ugandan and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) officials have concluded a two-day cross-border meeting in Arua City aimed at tackling crime and improving security along the shared border. The discussions, held from November 7 to 8 at Hotel Le Tsuba, were attended by a 30-member delegation from DRC’s Aru territory, as well as representatives from Uganda’s Arua, Arua City, and Maracha districts.
The meeting was led by Aru Territorial Administrator Colonel Richard Mbambi and Arua Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Mr. Kumakech Swaib. The agenda included addressing issues such as disparities in tax systems, armed robberies, arbitrary arrests, smuggling, vehicle theft, border incursions, and unregistered motorcycles, which have been affecting both the security and business environment along the border.
Col. Mbambi and RCC Kumakech emphasized the importance of cooperative measures to strengthen security for businesses on both sides of the border. They noted that a porous border can offer shelter to criminal elements and disrupt peaceful interactions between communities.
RCC Kumakech pointed out the urgency of addressing these issues to protect businesses, stating, “Cross-border criminality has negatively impacted the harmonious working relations of the two entities.”
Uganda’s 409 Brigade Commander, Lt. Col. Nathan Bainomugisha, representing the 4th Infantry Division Commander Brig. Gen. Felix Busizoori, called for better collaboration and vigilance. He highlighted the need for efficient intelligence sharing between the two countries to enhance security along the border. “Strengthening coordination, collaboration, and intelligence sharing is essential to ensure the safety of our two peoples,” he said.
General Taban Amin, a senior official in Uganda, emphasized the historical and cultural ties between the two nations, urging unity in tackling shared challenges. He stated, “We are interlinked and interconnected. People committing crimes are our children who can be stopped if we are committed. Let the colonial borders not divide us.”
The meeting also featured praise from Col. Mbambi for the Pan-African commitments of Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Felix Tshisekedi of the DRC. He remarked, “It is through their relentless efforts of finding local solutions to local problems that have encouraged us to meet regularly.”
The meeting culminated in a signed communiqué outlining a series of resolutions aimed at improving security and facilitating trade. Key resolutions included:
| Resolution | Description |
|---|---|
| Dignity at Border Controls | Ensure respectful treatment of citizens at border points. |
| Local Solutions for Security | Prioritize homegrown strategies for addressing security challenges. |
| Business Awareness | Raise awareness among business owners about safety and security. |
| Vehicle and Motorcycle Registration | Enforce registration to aid in tracking criminal activities. |
Traditional leaders from the Ochoo, Kakwa, and Lugbara chiefdoms, as well as business representatives, executive commissioners from revenue authorities, regional security officials, and officials from immigration and customs in both Uganda and the DRC, were also in attendance.
