The Centre for Research on Public Finance and Local Development (CREFDL) has called for judicial scrutiny to be extended to all public contracts awarded by the Fund for Reparations and Compensation for Victims of Uganda's Illegal Activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (FRIVAO).

The call follows a directive issued on April 17, 2026, by the Justice Ministry instructing the Prosecutor General at the Court of Cassation to open an investigation into a contract awarded to the company DIVO SARL.

In a statement published on April 23, CREFDL estimated the value of public contracts it considers irregular at $34.6 million for the period from 2022 to 2025. According to the organization, those payments were made in violation of public procurement legislation and should be subject to judicial review.

The organization's call comes as Chançard Bolukola, who served as FRIVAO's national coordinator from August 2024 to July 2025, remains in custody following his arrest on July 25, 2025. He faces charges including the alleged misappropriation of funds earmarked for victim compensation and violations of public procurement law. CREFDL said the ongoing judicial proceedings are consistent with recommendations contained in a citizen-led investigation report published in September 2025.

According to that report, FRIVAO received nearly $195 million between 2022 and 2024, a portion of which was intended to compensate victims of the Kisangani war. CREFDL said, however, that only $2.08 million had actually been disbursed to victims as of October 8, 2024, representing less than 2% of the $105.1 million allocated for that purpose.

Contested payments

The April 23 statement listed several disputed payments, including $14.9 million to Congo Energy for the rehabilitation of the Tshopo power plant, $9 million to state utility SNEL for work on the Kisangani electricity network, $4 million to the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) for Kisangani's zoological and botanical garden, and $1.75 million to OVDA Tshopo for a peace stabilization project.

The DIVO SARL contract, which prompted the Justice Ministry's directive, also appears on CREFDL's list. The organization cited a $512,000 advance payment for the production of a documentary on GENOCOST, a campaign seeking recognition of mass killings and economic crimes committed in Congo. In its April 17 statement, the Justice Ministry pointed to strong presumptions of irregularities, including the disbursement of more than $1 million, the absence of compliant deliverables, and alleged violations of public financial management rules.

Writing from his cell at Makala central prison, Bolukola disputed claims that the documentary cost $1.6 million despite running only six minutes. In a handwritten letter dated April 19, 2026, relayed by Actualite.cd, he said the contract was worth $640,000 excluding taxes and that the film runs approximately one hour and 14 minutes. He rejected the accusations leveled against his management of the fund.

The conflicting accounts highlight key questions facing investigators, who will need to establish the amounts actually committed, the payments made, whether the deliverables complied with contractual requirements, and any potential liabilities arising from the management of funds intended for victims.

Boaz Kabeya