Uganda Disagrees with International Court of Justice Ruling tp Pay DRC

On Wednesday, the International Court of Justice based in the Hague ordered Uganda to pay $325 million approximately sh1.5 trillion in reparations to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), bringing to a close a two decades court process. In response, Kampala said it was not bothered by the ruling.

Dr. Chris Baryomunsi the Minister of ICT and National Guidance told NBS in an interview that government was awaiting advice from the Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka on the matter.

We disagree with the reasoning by the judges. We need the Attorney General to study the ruling because it has just come. The Attorney General will advice and guide government in the next step.

The Court ruled Uganda can pay the amount in installments of $65 million annually. DR Congo first brought the case before the court in 1999.

Whereas court ruled that Uganda had violated international law by occupying the Eastern part of DR Congo and that while there its soldiers violated the human rights of Ituri citizens, Dr. Baryomunsi noted Uganda and DR Congo had since moved on. Dr. Baryomunsi insisted UPDF soldiers didn’t err during their deployment.

There were up to eight countries that were participating in the war in Congo. For them to single out Uganda is very unfortunate.

While the minister says that relations have become better to a point of Uganda investing in the DR Congo Roads and jointly carrying out Operation Shujaa, some legislators argue that the current relationship is a cosmetic one warning of likely consequences.

We shall ensure that the level of discontent is raised for every other Ugandan who pays tax to come out and demonstrate against having us to pay for the sins of individuals,” Hon Nambeshe

These argue that while the office of the Attorney General saved the limping economy billions of dollars, the fined UGX. 1.5tn should not be paid from the country’s treasury but from the pockets of those directly involved in the looting of DR Congo.

They must bare personal responsibility. They never brought that gold into Bank of Uganda, I will be moving that motion in Parliament,” Hon Ssemujju Nganda

Founded after World War II, the ICJ in The Hague rules in disputes between countries, mainly based on treaties. Its decisions are final and cannot be appealed.