Maracha District Leaders and DRC Congo Officials Meet in Ariwara Over Border Insecurity, By Andrew Cohen Amvesi.

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DR CONGO. Officials of Aru Territorial Administration in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have met with Maracha district leaders to find a lasting solution to pockets of insecurity cases along the border.

The day-long meeting which among other key issues resolved to end cases of armed robbery along the border was held in DRC’s Ariwara town on Thursday.

The meeting followed the recent killing of a Ugandan citizen from Maracha district by armed robbers who were later suspected to have fled with the deceased’s motorcycle to DRC.

The horrible incident forced Rtd. Capt. Yasin Buga Matata, the Maracha RDC and Col. Richard Mbambi Kingana Kitabakulu, the Aru Territorial Administrator to quickly convene the meeting to address the armed robbery concerns and other cases of insecurity along the border.

During the meeting, Richard Opi Alizi, the Zaki District Secretary in Eastern DRC said the ordinary citizens and security personnel in Uganda and DRC generally have no problem among themselves, adding that the only challenge is usually caused by thugs who take advantage of the porous nature of the border.

Alizi also accused the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) law enforcement officers of arresting Congolese, torturing and impounding their motorcycles with DRC registered number plates.Some of the members of the two delegations pose for a group photo shortly after the meeting on Thursday. Photo by Andrew Cohen Amvesi

Andiniyo Obhia Esperance, another Congolese alleged that Congolese women dealing in fish business are always mistreated in Uganda.

“When our women buy fish from Uganda, their fish is impounded and, in most cases, the fish is not given back. The action of Ugandan authority has forced our women to lose a lot of money. I am therefore, requesting this meeting to address some of these issues so that we can continue living in harmony,” Obhia said.

Relatedly, Denis Lee Oguzu, the Maracha County MP said he also gets complaints from his people that whenever they are in DRC, Congolese usually mistreat them.

However, Oguzu observed that the reason the two countries are having all these problems is because of corruption which is a very big problem in Africa.Kitabakulu (L), Buga (C) and Obitre (R) arriving for the cross border meeting in DRC on Thursday. Photo by Andrew Cohen Amvesi

“So, because of corruption, sometimes people end up doing things they are not supposed to do. I have taken note of a number of issues, good enough we are now in the East African community (EAC). Being in EAC means to make sure there is free movement of goods and people. So, it is up to us to ensure we expedite Congo’s participation in the community such that they derive all the benefits of the community including free movement of their people in Uganda,” Oguzu said.

“All these issues raised ranging from impounding motorcycles which actually goes to URA, but my advice here is to ensure from the custom point where we have the revenue personnel, at least our business men should really endeavor to clear the motorcycles or motor vehicles having Congo number plates and once you have the temporary road license (TRL), I don’t think you should be disturbed that much,” Stephen Obitre, the Maracha district chairman advised.

Obitre called upon the Congolese to always liaise with Ugandan authorities to approach URA and negotiate the release of their registered motorcycles.

Daniel Baniyo, the Aru Territorial MP said there is no need to wait for Kampala or Kinshasha to solve minor insecurity cases along the border.

He said the essence of the meeting is to ensure that local leaders along the border on either side manage some of the minor cases like armed robbery, the insecurity being caused by impounding Congolese motorcycles and theft among others.

In his remarks, RDC Buga said Ugandans and Congolese are one people who should continue living in harmony. He called for cooperation among the citizens and the security personnel on both sides in case of any challenge along the border.

“We should live like brothers. You receive people of Maracha and the people of Maracha should also receive you in peace. This co-existence was created by God, so let us avoid problems among ourselves along the border,” Buga said.

Meanwhile Kitabakulu urged the two parties to always solve cases of insecurity before they become serious.

“This is of course, our first meeting with Maracha district but we believe that it is going to be the last one to solve all the problems created by the people we govern. Here is the time to remember the principles set by our two lovely Presidents for local problems to have local solutions,” Kitabakulu said.

The two parties later recommended to the security service of the two countries to work together in collaboration and to remain vigilant in order to discourage cases of armed robberies and other problems which can tarnish the longtime good relationship between Uganda and DRC.