Provincial authorities in South Kivu have announced the reopening of the port of Kalundu in Uvira, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. The move ends a period of halted shipping and disrupted cross-border trade in the border area. South Kivu Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi officially reopened the port during a ceremony held on Jan. 26, 2026, according to several local media reports.

Officials described the reopening as a step toward restoring normal activity. It comes a few days after the pullout of AFC/M23 forces from Uvira and is expected to help revive trade, with regular services from Uvira to regional ports including Mpulungu in Zambia, Kigoma in Tanzania, and Bujumbura in Burundi.

The public port of Kalundu remains a key hub for the movement of goods and travel for communities along the lake. However, beyond the security context, Congolese sources have warned in recent months about the deterioration of some facilities and berthing problems, linked in particular to rising water levels in Lake Tanganyika.

Local authorities have also urged vigilance, as security risks in the east remain a factor that could affect the continuity of traffic and the smooth flow of trade.

Boaz Kabeya