Uganda Reopens Border Crossings With Eastern DR Congo

Uganda has reopened several of its border crossings with eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), including areas near territories controlled by the M23 rebel group.

The decision marks a significant development in the region's complex security landscape and reflects renewed hope for peace and economic stability.

According to statements reported by RTR radio on Friday, Ugandan army spokesperson Felix Kulayigye confirmed that President Yoweri Museveni had ordered the reopening of key crossings, including Bunagana, Ishasha, and Busanza, along with several other points of entry.

These crossings had been closed since late January, following the takeover of the strategic city of Goma, capital of North Kivu province, by M23 rebels. The group has been at the center of a prolonged conflict in the region, prompting security concerns and border restrictions in neighboring Uganda.

Ugandan military officials have emphasized the need for normalizing cross-border movement. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Commander of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF), directed military personnel stationed along the border to facilitate the free movement of people and cross-border trade.

The reopening of these checkpoints follows the signing of a peace agreement between Rwanda and the DRC, brokered by the United States and Qatar in Washington. The accord aims to bring an end to nearly three decades of violence that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands of people since the beginning of the year alone.

Uganda’s decision to reopen the borders is expected to boost local economies, support humanitarian access, and strengthen regional cooperation as diplomatic efforts to end one of Africa’s most enduring conflicts continue to gain momentum.