Kisangani, April 7th, 2026 (CPA) – The Minister of Justice on Tuesday presented in Kisangani, Tshopo province, in the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, a recovery plan for the Fund for the Reparation and Compensation of Victims of Uganda’s Illicit Activities in the DRC (FRIVAO), during a meeting with the provincial governor. “A recovery plan has been put in place. The victims’ registry must be cleaned and reviewed by both an international and a national consultant. If the database is no longer corrupted, individual compensation can begin immediately. For now, we will start with collective compensation,” said Guillaume Ngefa, State Minister for Justice. He assured that the process will be transparent and credible, with all necessary measures in place, and pledged to engage directly with victims to listen to and reassure them.
Minister Ngefa warned of manipulation and massive embezzlement of FRIVAO funds, estimated at 53 million US dollars, adding that measures have been taken to align the process with the rules of the International Court of Justice, under the monitoring of the international community. He confirmed that electricity supply, within the framework of collective reparations, is already being addressed through this fund. Regarding the illegal occupation of State property, notably land belonging to the INERA in Yangambi, now subdivided, he promised to issue instructions for the State to recover its assets by evicting occupants and removing illegal constructions. For his part, Paulin Lendongolia denounced the lack of communication in the management of FRIVAO funds, criticizing a system that allegedly favors victims in Kisangani, while those in Bafwasende, Banalia and other provinces are still awaiting compensation. “Given the significant funds allocated by FRIVAO to the SNEL to address the electricity problem—a major issue hindering the development of the city and province—we regret, as representatives of the Head of State at the provincial level, not being sufficiently informed about the management of these resources. We need to be involved,” he concluded.