Museveni stresses regional cooperation for eastern drc security challenges

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni recently hosted Floribert Anzuluni, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Minister of Regional Integration, at his Kisozi presidential farm, located approximately 150 kilometers from Kampala. The meeting, which took place on Monday, July 13, saw Minister Anzuluni convey a specific message from President Félix Tshisekedi. This diplomatic engagement unfolds amid heightened regional diplomatic efforts and ongoing military confrontations between Congolese government forces and the AFC/M23 rebellion, reportedly backed by Rwanda, across the eastern provinces of the DRC.

During their discussions, President Museveni reiterated Uganda’s unwavering commitment to fostering continued collaboration with the DRC and other regional partners. The focus remains on jointly tackling the persistent security challenges in eastern DRC.

“We addressed matters of mutual concern, notably the security situation in eastern DRC. Peace and stability in our region are paramount for the prosperity of our populations, and we will maintain our cooperation with regional partners to overcome the challenges confronting eastern Congo,” President Museveni affirmed on his X account.

This high-level interaction follows President Tshisekedi’s official visit to Uganda on May 11 and 12, 2026. That earlier visit was dedicated to strengthening multi-sectoral partnership ties between Kinshasa and Kampala. At the invitation of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the two heads of state held a private meeting at State House Entebbe, subsequently overseeing the signing of six memoranda of understanding (MOUs). These critical agreements had been meticulously prepared and endorsed during the 9th session of the Permanent Joint Commission, which convened 15 representatives from both the Congolese and Ugandan governments.

The signed agreements are designed to solidify economic integration between the two nations and to cultivate an environment of mutual prosperity, all while upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each country. Key areas covered include the inter-state utilization of search and rescue (SAR) facilities and resources during peacetime, enhancing bilateral trade, cooperation in public administration, information and communication technologies, export promotion, and the advancement of tourism.

Through these renewed commitments, Kinshasa aims to further deepen its relationship with Kampala within the Great Lakes region. This diplomatic push is particularly significant given the strained relations between the DRC and Kigali, as Kinshasa continues to accuse Rwanda of supporting the AFC/M23 rebellion in eastern DRC. Furthermore, these diplomatic dynamics emerge at a time when peace initiatives, including those launched in Washington and Doha, have yet to yield concrete outcomes on the ground, despite some progress reported within negotiation frameworks.