Ambassador Kaliisa presents credentials to President Tshisekedi

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The Ambassador of Uganda to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Farid Kaliisa on Thursday, April 10, 2025, presented his credentials to President Felix Tshisekedi at State House in Kinshasa.

During the meeting, Ambassador Kaliisa conveyed warm greetings of friendship and esteem from President Yoweri K. Museveni.

In response, President Tshisekedi welcomed Ambassador Kaliisa and expressed his appreciation for the positive message, as well as for President Museveni's choice of diplomatic representation. He emphasized that this gesture reflects a commitment to strengthening the friendly bilateral relations between Uganda and the DRC.

Ambassador Kaliisa requested President Tshisekedi to consider appointing a substantive Ambassador of the DRC to Uganda.

Tshisekedi assured Ambassador Kaliisa of his support in carrying out his duties in DRC. He expressed his sorrow over the events of January 20, 2025, when the Embassy of Uganda in the DRC was destroyed and looted by misguided individuals.

He pledged to support the restoration and security of the Ambassador, the diplomatic staff in the DRC, and the diplomatic mission as a whole.

Tshisekedi encouraged Ambassador Kaliisa to strengthen the positive existing relations and collaboration in various areas of mutual interest for the benefit and prosperity of both countries.

Both leaders acknowledged their historical and shared commitment to Pan-Africanism in pursuit of regional security, stability, and socio-economic transformation.

They reiterated their unwavering support for ongoing efforts between their two countries to promote peace and build economic bridges, facilitating a peaceful resolution to conflicts. Additionally, they expressed their commitment to addressing the challenges that impede the progress of both nations.

To this end, they expressed satisfaction with the progress in trade and business among the people, particularly those in the border areas. They highlighted collaboration on joint infrastructure developments, such as the Mbarara-Ishaka-Mpondwe-Beni-Kisangani roads, as well as efforts in the fight against terrorism and various negative forces operating in Eastern DRC through Operation Shujaa.

Kaliisa emphasized his commitment to ensuring effective representation and strengthening the fraternal bilateral relations between the two countries and their people.

He expressed gratitude to Tshisekedi and the Government of DRC for successfully hosting the 8th session of the Uganda-DRC Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) in Kinshasa in October 2023, which led to the adoption of several decisions, including the removal of entry visa requirements between the two countries.

The Ambassador also reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to regional peace and stability and emphasized the importance of expediting the mid-term review of the 8th session of the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC), originally scheduled for mid-2024 in Kampala.

Additionally, he mentioned the preparations for hosting the 9th session of the Uganda-DRC JPC in Kampala in 2025 are well underway.