Torture and Harassment During Tax Collection by URA Officers Sparks Off Retaliation Between Congolese and Ugandans at Osidribiku Custom, Maracha District.

   📸: Ugandan Officials led by RDC Mr Festus Ayikobua take group photo with Congolese officials after exchanging the Motorcycles.

Stiff meeting convened on Wednesday 19-4-2023 and ended on Thursday 20-4-2023  in Robu, DRC Congo after alleged torture and mishandling of Congolese businessmen by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) officers patrolling the boarder line between the two Countries, Uganda 🇺🇬  and DRC Congo 🇨🇩 caused commotion amongst Citizens of these two Countries.

The scuffle on Tuesday 18-4-2023 between Ugandans and Congolese at Osidribiku boarder point in Maracha District was fueled by misconduct of Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) soldiers who chased and impounded a Senke motorcycle with registration number plate " 🇨🇩 RDC 07AU 699" belonging to a Congolese businessman in the names of Mr Madraraka Anguasea who often does his businesses across Uganda and DRC.

Mr Madraraka said the incident happened on Tuesday when he was along the board line, when the URA soldiers saw and started chasing him.

When he was tackled by one of the officers, they started beating him and later on impounded his Senke motorcycle despite him showing for them the legal documents of the motorcycle, He narrated.

Mr Madraraka further stated that, he offered the URA soldiers 100,000 Shs, which they refused, and he increased it to 300,000 Shs so that they can free him but still the officers rejected the money and instead loaded his motorcycle onto their official car and drove off with it to Oraba custom, at Uganda  - South Sudan boarder.

The victim alluded that, the impunity by the URA officers made  him to ululate and yell, henceforth attracting his native Congolese to come to his rescue.

On their arrival, Mr Madraraka said, as a way of retaliation, they decided to collect 12 motorcycles belonging to Ugandans.

Speaking during Thursday's meeting, the Congolese authorities condemned the acts of Ugandan security operatives, especially URA which they said, has for several times engaged in manhandling their businessmen who cross to Uganda for business and other ventures.

Police officer Sergeant Akuku Sambula who is Congolese commander at the boarder said, they have for several times received complains from Congolese about Ugandans undermining & underestimating their government and its products like motor number plates, etc.

The Congolese authorities warned Ugandans to desist from such insults by underestimating them and their government.

Click on this link https://youtu.be/B4za4BQqeIY here to watch the speech of Maracha District RDC Mr Festus Ayikobua.

DLC Councillor Hon Waga Charles who is also the secretary for security in Maracha District urged Ugandans and Congolese at the boarders to remain peaceful and observant to the laws of these two Countries for the interest of Pan-Africanism.

Representatives of both Countries passed a resolution to schedule an urgent meeting soon to address some of the concerns that are affecting the mutual relationship and trade between Uganda and Congo.

Click on this link https://youtu.be/xseEsBvsy-g  for more.

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