MPONDWE, UGANDA – DRC
On the 19th February, 2026, the Governments of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) convened a Joint Cross Border Meeting on Economic, Governance, and Security at the Mpondwe One Stop Border Post (OSBP) in Kasese, from February 19-20, 2026.
The meeting, was organised by the Uganda Embassy in Kinshasa in collaboration with the Provisional Government of North Kivu Province and the Lakes Edward and Albert Fisheries and Aquatic Organization (LEAFAO), bringing together technical officials from relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from both countries to deliberate on strengthening cross-border trade, governance, immigration, and security.
Held under the theme “Borders as Bridges: Harmonising Socio-Economic Activities for Shared Prosperity and Regional Security,” the meeting aimed at addressing challenges posed by the shared border, including illegal crossings, black market trade, dealings in illegal items and illegal levies.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Florence Kyasiimire, representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and leader of the Uganda delegation, highlighted the importance of the meeting in identifying existing barriers to trade that can easily be jointly addressed. She noted that Uganda and the DRC shares a long border stretch of over 950km, with several gazetted border posts like Bunagana, Ishasha, and Mpondwe/Kasindi. However, she noted, this long border is porous and is used by bad elements to carry out illegal activities that threaten cross-border security, trade and commerce. Ms. Consolee Kahindo Sikakulya, leader of the DRC delegation and Principal Coordinator on Finance and Economy in the North Kivu Provincial Government, emphasised the meeting’s objectives, including harmonised joint patrols on shared lakes, cooperation on stamping out illegal trade, and addressing Non-Trade Barriers (NTBs) to increase trade volume and value.
The meeting follows the DRC’s accession to the East African Community (EAC) in 2022, which has led to a significant increase in trade between Uganda and the DRC. According to Bank of Uganda, DRC imported goods worth $542.74 million from Uganda in the financial year 2024/2025, a 29% increase from the previous year. When informal trade is included, the value increases to $962.2 million. Uganda’s key exports to DRC include manufactured goods like sugar, steel and iron products, plastics, agricultural products, and beverages, making the DRC Uganda’s top export destination in Africa.
The meeting is expected to yield outcomes that will enhance regional security, promote cross-border trade, and improve the livelihoods of communities around shared Lakes Edward and Albert.
Photo Credit: Dennis Mulima
