By Mike Rwothomio 

In a significant step toward enhancing bilateral ties and promoting peace in frontier zones, key stakeholders from Uganda's West Nile region convened in White Castle Hotel in Arua City on 18 February 2026, for a consultative meeting to establish a standing Cross Border Committee (CBC).

The initiative, implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Uganda Country Office, seeks to bolster cross-border cooperation, stabilization, and resilience in borderland areas shared between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The CBC, guided by clear Terms of Reference (TOR), will hold a mandate focused on conflict prevention, management, and resolution among cross-border communities.

This includes addressing sensitive issues such as land disputes and territorial delimitation, all within the framework of existing national legal regimes in both countries.

A notable feature of the committee's composition is the inclusion of traditional and cultural institutions from the border areas, exemplified by the representation of the Alur Kingdom.

Alur Kingdom Prime Minister Prince Lawrence Opar Angala, representing the Alur Kingdom, participated actively in the deliberations, underscoring the vital role of customary authorities in fostering community-level dialogue and social cohesion across the international boundary.

Government representation underscored the meeting's multi-level importance.

The Office of the President was represented by Major Martha Asiimwe, Head of the RDCs Secretariat, accompanied by Ms. Gertrude Obedi, Regional Commissioner for RDCs in West Nile.

The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development was represented by Commissioner for Youth & Children's Affairs, Mr. Fred Ngabirano.

Local government leaders from districts sharing borders with the DRC also attended, including Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and Local Council V (LCV) Chairpersons: Robert Abak (Nebbi), James Oruna Oyulu (Zombo), Emmanuel Orombi (Nebbi), and Retired Major Betty Otekat Akello, Commissioner for Arua City.

The formation of the CBC aligns with broader regional efforts, supported by international partners like the European Union, to strengthen stability, reduce inter-communal tensions, facilitate safe mobility, and promote resilient livelihoods in the Uganda-DRC border corridor.

By integrating state institutions, local governance, and traditional leadership, the committee aims to serve as a sustainable mechanism for dialogue and collaborative problem-solving in one of East Africa's key transboundary zones.

Officials posed for a photo after the end of the two-day stakeholders workshop on cross border meeting facilitated by IOM Ug for West Nile in White Castle Hotel in Arua City.

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at zoomer Africa your number one grassroot information hub