Zombo, Uganda: Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have adopted a raft of practical resolutions aimed at strengthening cross-border security, promoting peaceful coexistence, and addressing recurring communal tensions along their shared frontier, particularly between Zombo District and Mahagi Territory in Ituri Province.
The resolutions were agreed upon during a high-level cross-border security consultation held on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Paidha Cultural Centre in Paidha Town Council, Zombo District.
The meeting was convened under the auspices of Uganda’s President’s Office, represented by Zombo Resident District Commissioner Festus Ayikobua, while the DRC delegation was led by Mahagi Territorial Administrator Col. Jacques Lalua Disanoa.
In his address, RDC Ayikobua commended his Congolese counterpart for sustained engagement toward peace and stressed the importance of proactive collaboration in resolving emerging cross-border disputes.
“We are confident that this engagement will champion peaceful coexistence between the two countries,” he said.
Col. Lalua described the consultations as constructive, noting the deep historical and cultural ties between the Alur communities on both sides of the border.
“Mahagi and Zombo share values started by our ancestors and cannot be separated, given that they are all Alur people,” he said.
The dialogue brought together regional security officials, immigration authorities, district security committees, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) representatives, cultural institutions, and civil society actors to harmonise responses to shared challenges including land disputes, illegal movements, property destruction, and trade bottlenecks.
West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson SSP Josephine Angucia emphasised the role of security agencies in facilitating dialogue and maintaining stability, while Ms. Gertrude Obedi, Dean of West Nile RDCs, highlighted concerns about strained relations affecting cross-border trade.
Clair Sanyu, URA’s Regional Supervisor for Stakeholder Relations, warned traders against making cash payments to URA, stressing that all payments must be processed through official banking channels to curb corruption and enhance transparency.
Cultural Institutions Back Peace Efforts
Representatives of the Alur Kingdom from both Uganda and the DRC participated in the engagement. Uganda’s delegation included Jadipu, representing the Alur Kingdom, and Claver Oboko Olotha, Jago Madit of Padea Chiefdom.
Prince Lawrence Opar Angala, Prime Minister of the Alur Kingdom, announced plans to convene chiefs from both countries to strengthen cultural diplomacy and promote harmony among communities sharing the same language and heritage.
From the DRC side, four traditional chiefs attended: Rwoth Fauste Rwothnga Ugwaro Nyipir III of War-Palara, Rwoth Ukethwengu Arnold of Panduru, Rwoth Emille Kamanda of Angal, and Rwoth Okia Songa III of Alur Djuganda.
Snapshot of Key Resolutions
In the spirit of Pan-African solidarity and the principles of the East African Community, the parties adopted several confidence-building measures:
- Enhanced communication mechanisms: Sharing direct telephone contacts and adopting standardised protocols for early warning and rapid response to emerging security threats.
- Joint on-site assessment and reconciliation: A follow-up visit to Alangi Sub-county, site of recent house burnings, to assess damage and facilitate dialogue.
- Institutional support for cross-border security committees: Strengthening joint monitoring structures.
- Regular engagement of cultural leaders and civil society: Encouraging proactive conflict prevention at community level.
- Formal border demarcation (subject to funding): Pursuing gazetting of the border line to prevent land-related disputes.
- Anti-corruption measures: Mandating URA payments strictly through banking channels.
- Community sensitisation: Educating border populations on mutual respect for national laws while promoting brotherhood.
- Collaborative problem-solving: Ending mutual accusations and adopting transparent dialogue mechanisms.
- Peace preservation and trade promotion: Encouraging legitimate cross-border trade while monitoring irregular movements, particularly through Aka Sub-county toward Durba in the DRC.
A follow-up stakeholder meeting will assess implementation progress, with a designated secretariat handling outstanding matters.
Building on Previous Bilateral Efforts
The Paidha engagement builds on earlier bilateral initiatives spearheaded by Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) meeting held in Goma from September 2–6, 2024.
At that meeting, both countries developed a roadmap and budget for reaffirming approximately 817 kilometres of their shared border. To date, only 44.8 kilometres have been reaffirmed — 28 kilometres from Offo/Vura and 16.8 kilometres from Sarambwe/Bwindi — reflecting incremental progress toward full demarcation.
The consultations also addressed past incidents resolved through joint interventions, including the January 2025 crossing of over 50 armed DRC soldiers into Awasi Centre in Jangokoro Sub-county, clashes in Ondheri, Alangi Sub-county, and the 2023 occupation of villages in Padea Town Council and Abanga Sub-county.
The resolutions mark a locally anchored, grassroots-driven approach to conflict prevention among border communities with shared ethnic and cultural ties, reinforcing broader regional stability amid ongoing security challenges in eastern DRC.
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