By Frank Kamuntu
Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) decided to establish a visa-free regime between the two countries, according to a joint communique, which was signed by the parties on the eighth Uganda-DRC Joint Commission.
“To this end, the two parties agreed to remove entry visa fees on reciprocal bases to facilitate free movement of people”, the document read.
The joint Commission meeting was held in Kinshasa on October 12-14. The two sides also talked about military and security cooperation as well as collaboration in public Administration, the communique said.
The countries also discuss possibilities of agreements in trade, infrastructure and industry development, agriculture energy sector, transport and communications.
The decision to scrap visa requirements between both countries came following a proposal by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in December 2022 to establish visa-free travel between the two countries.
“Crossing in East Africa should be cost-free. You pay for a visa when going to America, or Europe, but a visa to DR Congo?! That is rubbish. If that is the case, I have removed it”, he was quoted as saying.
In May 2023, he also reportedly urged officials from both countries to accelerate the process of lifting the restrictions. Citizens of both countries have also lambasted the visa requirement between the countries.
DR Congo in September 2023 announced the establishment of visa-free travel with Kenya in early September.
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