Bugeme seeks stronger ties, support for Congolese refugees after DRC visit
Williams Bugeme exchanges pleasantries with an official. PHOTO/COURTESY
What you need to know:
Bugeme used the high-level talks to advocate for greater support for Congolese refugees in Uganda, many of whom have fled recent violence fueled by the ongoing M23 rebellion
Williams Bugeme, the president of the Congolese community in the Ugandan diaspora, has returned to Uganda following a diplomatic visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), his first official engagement with senior Congolese government officials since being elected last year.
Bugeme used the high-level talks to advocate for greater support for Congolese refugees in Uganda, many of whom have fled recent violence fueled by the ongoing M23 rebellion. Over 50,000 Congolese refugees have crossed into Uganda since January 2025, creating immense pressure on already strained resources.
“As the president of the Congolese in Uganda, my office faces enormous pressure to support these new arrivals,” Bugeme said. “But without additional resources and cooperation from the Congolese government, it becomes impossible to adequately address their welfare, resettlement, and long-term integration.”
Bugeme warned that without immediate and sustained support, vulnerable refugees could fall prey to despair or be targeted by criminal networks, including armed rebel groups.
Beyond refugee advocacy, Bugeme's mission focused on mending strained relations between the Congolese embassy in Uganda and the diaspora community, which he described as fractured. He urged the Congolese government to play a more proactive role in rebuilding trust and cooperation with its citizens abroad, stressing that a united diaspora could be a powerful force for peace and development in both Uganda and the DRC.
“We must bridge the gap between the embassy and the people. Only through unity and mutual respect can we empower our diaspora to contribute meaningfully to both countries,” he noted.
Upon his return to Kampala, Bugeme met with hundreds of Congolese refugees at Sharing Hall in Nsambya, where he personally donated basic relief items including soap, posho, and sugar to ease their immediate hardships. His gesture was welcomed by the community, many of whom expressed gratitude for his direct engagement and visible leadership.
Bugeme assured the gathering that he remains committed to lobbying for increased support not only from the Congolese government but also from international agencies and well-wishers.
“This is just the beginning,” he said. “We will continue knocking on every door that can open opportunity and dignity for our people.”
Through his recent actions, Bugeme has reaffirmed a vision of diaspora leadership grounded in unity, empathy, and advocacy, at a time when the stakes for displaced Congolese families remain dangerously high.
