Uganda announces Visa waiver for Democratic Republic of Congo nationals

As of January 1, 2024, citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will enjoy visa-free entry into Uganda, marking a significant development following the DRC’s official admission into the East African Community (EAC).

The DRC attained full membership in the EAC on July 11, 2022, subsequent to its accession to the EAC Treaty on April 8, 2022. Mundeyi Simon, the PRO Ministry of Internal Affairs, said that the East African Community Common Market Protocol emphasizes the principle of free movement of persons.

Speaking at a press briefing held at the police headquarters in Naguru on Monday, Mundeyi explained that, in accordance with Article (72) (d) of the protocol, partner states are obligated to permit citizens of other partner states to enter without requiring a visa.

“At the 8th Joint Permanent Commission convened from October 11th to 15th, 2023, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, both parties mutually agreed to waive the visa requirement for citizens of both countries on a reciprocal basis,” Mundeyi stated.

Adding that, Cabinet Minute 374 (CT 2023) considered the matter, and it was resolved to eliminate the visa requirement for Ugandan and Congolese nationals entering and exiting the Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Uganda, respectively.

Mundeyi assured that the Ministry of Internal Affairs is fully prepared to implement this directive effective January 1, 2024. However, he cautioned that if the DRC fails to reciprocate the gesture, the visa-free arrangement may be reconsidered.