Congolese people will no longer need visas to enter the country beginning January 1, 2024, Uganda's Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced.
This decision is the result of a series of negotiations since the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) joined the East African Community (EAC) in July 2022.
With the waiver, the DRC can now fully experience the advantages of the East African region.
"During the eighth joint permanent commission held on October 11–15, 2023, in Kinshasa, DRC, both parties agreed in principle to waive the visa requirement for citizens of both countries on a reciprocal basis," the ministry said in a statement.
Several EAC member states have already opened their borders. Kenya was the last to do so before Uganda's waiver on the DRC.
Last week, Kenya's President Willian Ruto stated that his country intends to eliminate all visa restrictions for foreign travellers by January 2024.
Somalia, which last week signed the treaty of accession to the EAC, will also enjoy open borders once fully integrated into the community.