DR Congo Police Seize Three Ugandan Villages
A border dispute between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo is once again brewing in the frontier town of Padea, West Nile Subregion after Congolese locals backed by their police entered Uganda and laid claim to three villages deep within Uganda.
The Congolese claim the villages of Acu Cell in the Jupadindu Ward of Padea Town Council, Acu Village in the Asina Parish Abanga Sub-county, and Oyaro Village in the Asina Parish, all in the Zombo District.
In parts of West Nile, such incursions by Congolese security personnel into Uganda have been a constant source of concern.
In addition, they have become a source of insecurity, which hinders cross-border commerce between the two countries.
Lt. Col. (ret.) Pius Alitema, Area Resident District Commissioner, told GossipA2Z that his office has scheduled a meeting with Congolese security from Mahagi Territory as part of interim efforts to calm the situation.
In addition, he disclosed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kampala has been briefed on the developing situation and reportedly plans to escalate the matter.
Lt. Col. Alitema urged observance of the international boundary and cautioned that any violation would engender insecurity.
“We must engage our local authorities operating at the border to respect the national boundary and maintain peace and security to facilitate trade and commerce. Because these people all speak the same language and intermarry, our people should be at peace. Therefore, there is no reason to compete,” he stated.
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On the weekend, a group of suspected Congolese nationals crossed the border into Uganda.
They then erected a barricade on the Padea-Congo road with the assistance of Congolese police from Mahagi Territory.
Five years ago in neighboring Asina, the Congolese attempted to unilaterally extend the international border by two kilometers into Uganda.
Relations between communities on either side of the border deteriorated until the Ugandan army moved in and opened the barricaded areas.
Mr. Benjamin Ocirwoth, a local leader, stated that Ugandans in the affected border region fear Congolese attacks.
Mr. Ocirwoth stated that the Congolese are preventing locals from accessing their farmland.
“We are not at peace because Congolese can attack us at any time.” If the matter is not taken seriously at the national level, the dispute will continue to negatively impact both business and the education of our children, he said.
Mr. Wilfred Jakwonga, a businessman from Padea, stated that the border dispute is currently impacting commerce.
Jakonga stated, “Since the Congolese erected a barrier on the Ugandan side, we are unable to trade freely, and our people are under threat.”
Mr. Benson Oyulu, the chairman of Zombo District, told GossipA2Z that national-level meetings should be used to find a lasting resolution to the on-off border dispute.
“The issue of national borders cannot be dealt with by locals. Since it is a source of insecurity for both parties, it requires the involvement of the highest authorities on both sides, Mr. Oyulu said.
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Col. Claude Ntumba, the Deputy Territorial Administrator for Mahagi District in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, stated that they will engage in dialogue with Ugandan authorities to resolve any conflict.
“In border regions, we should all have mutual respect for one another, and people should avoid establishing unnecessary checkpoints to extort money from others,” he said.
GossipA2Z has learned that an unidentified Congolese clan chief is behind the most recent attempt to establish an illegal customs point within Uganda to extort money from traders.
In June 2009, Congolese policemen erected an unauthorized police post at Agyero, two kilometers from the River Nyibola at the Goli border customs.
According to reports, authorities on both sides of the border reached an agreement to keep the post in place.
More than 15 kilometers of the border consist of a road (right from Amwonyo behind Got-Agu through the villages of Openju, Simu, Asina, Angenja, Akwerali, Kakra, Acu, Pamitu, and Asina parishes in Abanga Sub-county).
The border also extends from Acu, Ajigu, Jupucama, and Awasi in Jangokoro Sub-county to Athuma, Zeu, Alangi, and finally Kango Sub-county.
Nine of Zombo’s thirteen sub-counties share borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. And 75 villages share borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
West Nile border woes
In November 2007, soldiers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo apprehended two surveyors from Heritage Oil and a guard from Saracen Security Company after they reportedly became disoriented and wandered 200 meters inside the Kolokoto region of Congo.
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In May 2008, Congolese authorities erected a barrier 300 meters inside Uganda’s Vurra, Arua District, on the River Ofo.
Presidents Museveni and Kabila engaged in dialogue to resolve the impasse.
In June 2009, Congolese policemen constructed a police post at Agyero. Two kilometers from the Ugandan border on the River Nyibola near the Goli customs post.
In August 2009. Armed Sudanese attack and halt MTN construction work in Moyo District’s Jale neighborhood.
In September 2009. Seven SPLA soldiers assault farmers in Lefori’s Gwerewan Village, claiming that the land belongs to South Sudan.
On August 23, 2010, three Congolese soldiers opened fire on merchants. At the Kampala Market in Logiri Sub-county, Vurra County, Arua District.
They were pursuing Ugandans who had allegedly crossed into DR Congo and whom they suspected of tax evasion. There were over fifty injuries.
November of 2010. SPLA soldiers kidnap thirteen farmers from Lefori, accusing them of encroaching on South Sudanese territory.
March of 2012. Nine Ugandan members of parliament were taken hostage by SPLA soldiers in Lefori. As they conducted a monitoring operation on disputed land.
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