Kinshasa, Feb. 4, 2026 (ACP).- A judicial investigation has been opened against the chairman of the board of directors of the Special Fund for the Distribution of Compensation to Victims of Uganda’s Illegal Activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Frivao), according to a statement from the Ministry of Justice received by the ACP on Wednesday. « As part of the implementation of the decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to the Special Fund for the Distribution of Compensation to Victims of Uganda’s Illegal Activities in the DRC (FRIVAO), the Minister of State, Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals issued two decrees on Monday, February 2, 2026, concerning: the suspension of the Chairman of the FRIVAO Board of Directors, Mr. Kalombola Bernard; and the appointment of Mr. Kitenge Dismas as Interim Chairman of the Board of Directors, » the statement read. According to the source, this measure follows an injunction issued to the Attorney General of the Tshopo Court of Appeal in Kisangani, in the northeast of the DRC, to open an investigation into certain allegations made against the suspended defendant. “This decision is in line with the government’s desire to ensure rigorous, transparent, and appropriate management of the resources allocated to victim compensation, as well as to preserve the integrity and credibility of public institutions,” At the end of January 2026, the Attorney General at the Court of Cassation gave instructions to open another investigation in order to shed light on the management of funds allocated to this body. The judiciary reported an increase in the number of victims, which rose from approximately 3,000 certified individuals to more than 14,000, or even 16,000, in the city of
Kisangani alone. The Minister in charge of Justice then referred to an ‘uncontrolled increase’. DRC: request for Translated with DeepL.com (free version) The lack of mandate of the doctor’s lawyer, who in his special power of attorney had a mandate to represent the client before the Council of State and not before the Court of Appeal. This is a cause for inadmissibility which, unfortunately, was not explored by the Court of Appeal in the grounds for its judgment, » said the lawyers of the National Medical Association. Furthermore, according to the lawyers representing the National Medical Association, Dr Kumandungi used two avenues of appeal at the same time. In their view, this violates the legal principle of ‘electa una via (one chosen path)’ by lodging an appeal with both the Court of Appeal and the Council of State. Defending himself, Dr Kumandungi contradicted the association’s arguments concerning the grounds for inadmissibility. « On July 10th, 2024, I was notified of my decision to be struck off. Five days later, I lodged an informal appeal and then a hierarchical appeal. But I did not receive a response. That is why I appealed to the administrative section of the Court of Appeal, which ruled in my favour last November.‘ He added: ’At the Court of Appeal, the association withdrew its appearance, in which case it cannot appeal against this decision since it was no longer a party to the proceedings. I would therefore ask the court to declare the application inadmissible, » he added. After hearing all the parties, Councilor Yangasobe, presiding judge, indicated that the case was being taken under advisement and that the judgment would be handed down within the time limit set by law.