17 DR Congo Ministers in Uganda asKinshasa and Kampala Seal VisaWaiver, Security and SGR Pacts
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A high-level delegation of 17 Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Ministers, led by Deputy Prime Minister Jacquemain Shabani Lukoo, met with Ugandan officials in Kampala from May 8-10, 2026, to solidify key agreements aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation. The 9th Session of the Uganda-DRC Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) held at the Mestil Hotel culminated in several agreements, including a visa waiver pact, security initiatives, and infrastructure development projects. [1, 2]
Key Outcomes of the 9th JPC Meeting:
Visa Waiver Pact: The two countries moved to formalize a reciprocal visa waiver aimed at easing the movement of people and boosting trade, building on a previous, partial waiver implemented in early 2024.
Security Cooperation: The delegations discussed the ongoing Operation Shujaa, a joint military effort targeting the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and other armed groups in Eastern DRC, to bolster regional security.
Infrastructure (SGR Pacts): The countries reached agreements on extending the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to connect both nations, aimed at lowering transport costs and increasing trade, with construction of the Ugandan segment set for 2026.
Economic Integration: Other areas of cooperation included joint investigations into illegal, cross-border trade, improvements in customs and immigration systems, and the management of shared resources like Lake Edward and Lake Albert. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
The agreements, finalized under the theme “Scaling Shared Prosperity: Trade Infrastructure and Security for Enhanced Bilateral Relations, Regional Stability and Socioeconomic Transformation," underscore a commitment to turning the shared border into a zone of stability and commerce. [1, 2]
According to the Uganda Immigration Office as of February 18, 2026, the Democratic Republic of Congo is listed among the countries with whom Uganda has visa abolition agreements, exempting its nationals from requiring a visa to travel to Uganda. [1, 2]