On April 10, 2025, H.E. Farid Kaliisa, Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), formally presented his Letters of Credence to H.E. Félix Antoine Tshisekedi, President of the DRC, during a ceremony held at State House, Kinshasa.
Ambassador Kaliisa conveyed warm greetings and a message of friendship and esteem from H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda.
In receiving the credentials, President Tshisekedi extended a cordial welcome to Ambassador Kaliisa and expressed appreciation for the message from President Museveni.
He acknowledged Uganda’s choice and commitment to strengthening diplomatic representation as a clear affirmation of the enduring and friendly bilateral ties between the two nations.
Ambassador Kaliisa, in turn, requested President Tshisekedi to consider the appointment of a substantive Ambassador of the DRC to Uganda, to further bolster the relations between the two countries.
President Tshisekedi assured Ambassador Kaliisa of his full support in the execution of his diplomatic duties and expressed deep regret over the events of January 20, 2025, when Uganda’s Embassy in Kinshasa was attacked and looted by rogue elements.
He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the restoration and protection of Uganda’s diplomatic premises and personnel, and encouraged the Ambassador to contribute to the deepening of the existing cooperation across various sectors of mutual interest, for the shared benefit of the people of Uganda and the DRC.
Both President Tshisekedi and Ambassador Kaliisa emphasized the deep historical and Pan-African bonds that unite Uganda and the DRC. They reiterated their joint commitment to promoting regional security, socio-economic transformation, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
The two leaders acknowledged the important strides made in trade and cross-border collaboration, especially among border communities, and welcomed ongoing joint infrastructure projects such as the Mbarara–Ishaka–Mpondwe–Beni–Kisangani road corridor.
They also affirmed continued cooperation in the fight against terrorism and negative forces destabilizing eastern DRC, notably under Operation Shujaa.
Ambassador Kaliisa pledged to work diligently to enhance the fraternal and strategic partnership between Uganda and the DRC.
He expressed gratitude to President Tshisekedi and the Government of the DRC for the successful hosting of the 8th Session of the Uganda-DRC Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) in Kinshasa in October 2023.
He noted the positive outcomes of the session, including the landmark decision to waive visa requirements between the two countries.
The Ambassador informed President Tshisekedi that Uganda had already fulfilled its commitment by lifting visa restrictions for Congolese nationals and looked forward to reciprocal action from the DRC.
He reaffirmed Uganda’s dedication to regional peace and development, and its readiness to fast-track the mid-term review of the 8th JPC session—originally scheduled for mid-2024 in Kampala—as well as preparations for the 9th Session of the Uganda-DRC Joint Permanent Commission, to be hosted in Kampala in 2025.
