Members of Parliament’s on Foreign Affairs Committee have urged their counterparts in DR. Congo to address the plight of Ugandan nationals detained in Congolese prisons.
During their interface with a delegation of legislators from DR. Congo that took place at parliament of Uganda today, MPs on the Foreign Affairs Committee expressed concern over the arrest of Ugandan fishermen on Lake Albert and their subsequent detention without access to legal assistance.
The Ugandan MPs highlighted the poor living conditions in Congolese prisons, which they said violate human rights.
They also questioned why Ugandans are still required to pay visa fees to enter the Democratic Republic of Congo, despite Uganda’s abolition of similar fees for Congolese nationals.
Furthermore, the MPs condemned the Congolese government’s failure to confirm Ugandan Ambassador Fred Kaliisa, who was appointed to Kinshasa nearly four years ago.
In response, the Congolese delegation, led by Lambert Mende Omalang, pledged to take the issues to the relevant authorities for a solution.
However, the Congolese delegation also raised concerns about their own nationals detained in Ugandan prisons, suggesting that prisoner exchange negotiations should be explored.
They acknowledged the Ugandan military’s efforts in combating the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in eastern Congo.
