The government of Uganda has announced a waiver of Visa requirements for the Citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).
According to Simon Peter Mundeyi, Spokesperson Internal Affairs Ministry, the waiver will take effect on January 1, 2024.
He noted that the decision was made after the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), became a full member of the East African Community (EAC) on July 11, 2022, following their accession to the EAC Treaty on April 18, 2022.
The East African Community Common Market Protocol is based on the principle of free movement of persons.
According to Article 7(2) (d), partner states are required to allow citizens of other partner states to enter without a visa.
Furthermore, during the 8th Joint Permanent Commission held on October 11 to 15, 2023 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and DR Congo, agreed in principle to waive the visa requirement for citizens of both countries on a reciprocal basis.
Following the above agreement, Cabinet Minute 374 (CT 2023) considered the matter, and it was resolved to remove the visa requirement for Ugandan and Congolese nationals to enter and exit the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Uganda, respectively.
Mundeyi said that the ministry is now ready to implement the directive as of January 1, 2024.