The International Court of Justice on Wednesday ordered Uganda to pay $325 million (about Shs1.2 trillion) in compensation to the Democratic Republic of Congo for violence in a long-running conflict between the African neighbors that began in the late 1990s.
Congo originally filed the case in 1999 against Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda, calling the African nations’ involvement in the conflict in Congo a “flagrant breach” of the United Nations charter.
Congo dropped the case against Burundi in 2001, and the world court ruled in 2002 that it did not have jurisdiction in the case against Rwanda.
While delivering judgment, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) President Judge Joan Donoghue broke down the compensation, awarding the DRC $225 million (about Shs794 billion) for damage to persons, which includes loss of life, rape, recruitment of child soldiers, and displacement of civilians.
Congo will also receive $40 million (about Shs141 billion) for damage to property, and $60 million (about Shs212 billion) for damage to natural resources, including the looting and plundering of gold, diamonds, and timber.
“The Court notes that the reparation awarded to the DRC for damage to persons and to property reflects the harm suffered by individuals and communities as a result of Uganda’s breach of its international obligations,” said Judge Joan Donoghue.
Uganda is ordered to pay the $325 million in five annual installments of $65 million (about Shs230 billion), starting in September.
Currently, Congolese and Ugandan troops are back together fighting the Allied Democratic Forces, the region’s deadliest militia, which the Islamic State group calls its affiliate.
