By Starting January 2024, Uganda has lifted visa requirements for Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC) citizens visiting the country, a move that will be reciprocated by DRC for Ugandans.
“Starting January,1, 2024, Congolese nationals will come into Uganda without requirement for visa and Ugandans will cross to DRC without need for visa,” Ministry of Internal Affair, Simon Mundeyi announced on Monday.
Last year, the Democratic Republic of the Congo joined East African Community(EAC) as its seventh member.
Speaking on Monday, the Internal Affairs Ministry spokesperson said the decision to abolish visa requirement for Congolese nationals followed the signing of the Treaty of Accession to join the East African bloc on July, 11, 2022.
“During the 8th joint permanent commission held between October, 11 and 15 in Kinshasa, both parties agreed in principle to waive visa requirement for citizens on a reciprocal principle. We have made this communication to our officers at the border points.”
The development means Ugandans can now access all countries in the East African Community, save for Somalia which has just joined the bloc and the protocols are not yet signed .
The East African bloc now has eight countries including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan, Rwanda, DRC and lately Somalia.
The abolishment of visa requirements is expected to speed up movement of persons from these countries but also enhance trade.
