The Ugandan government has expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo which has intensified in the eastern region and is now spreading to the capital, Kinshasa.
Minister for Regional Affairs, John Mulimba, addressed the growing worries, describing the situation as “extremely concerning” and urging Ugandans to delay any planned travel to the DR Congo until the situation stabilizes.
“The ongoing military confrontations in the DR Congo, particularly in the eastern part of the country and now extending to Kinshasa, are extremely worrying,” Mulimba said during a press briefing on Sunday.
“We strongly advise Ugandans to postpone any travel plans to the DRC, as the security situation remains highly volatile.”
On Monday, the situation escalated further as M23 rebels captured Goma, a strategically important city in eastern DR Congo.
The capture of Goma, a key urban center, has heightened tensions, with fears of the conflict spreading further across the region. The fall of Goma to the rebels has raised alarms among neighboring countries, including Uganda.
The conflict has already resulted in several diplomatic missions being targeted, with Uganda’s embassy in Kinshasa notably attacked. Reports confirmed that a newly constructed building belonging to the Ugandan mission was set on fire. “The Ugandan embassy in Kinshasa was not spared, and we have issued a security advisory to our nationals working at the mission,” Mulimba added. “We are closely monitoring the situation.”
In addition to Uganda’s embassy, several other diplomatic missions in the DRC have been attacked, further underscoring the dangerous security environment in the region.
Uganda has called for an immediate ceasefire from all warring parties, stressing the importance of peace to facilitate diplomatic and humanitarian efforts.
“We urge all parties involved to cease hostilities and prioritize dialogue. The ongoing violence is destabilizing the region, and we cannot allow it to continue,” Mulimba stated.
The Ugandan government continues to monitor the situation closely and has promised to provide additional updates as developments unfold.