DRC launches $120 million reparation program for victims of Uganda's illicit activities

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has launched collective reparation operations for communities affected by illegal activities in Uganda. The Ministry of Justice announced on September 9, 2026, that an initial $120 million will be allocated to this first phase through the Special Fund for the Distribution of Compensation to Victims of Uganda's Illicit Activities in the DRC (FRIVAO).

The funds will be distributed equally, with $30 million allocated to each of the four targeted provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, Haut-Uélé, and Bas-Uélé. Rather than individual payouts, the money is designated for collective community projects, including health services, education, access to clean water, economic recovery, and community resilience.

This initiative follows a 2022 International Court of Justice ruling that ordered Uganda to pay $325 million in reparations to the DRC. The current rollout follows previous efforts by Congolese authorities to audit and restructure FRIVAO to ensure greater transparency and traceability in the management of these sensitive public funds.