Moba is situated on the western shore of the southern part of Lake Tanganyika, 140 kilometres (87 mi) south-east of Kalemie, to which it is linked by regular boat services.

The larger town of Kirungu (Kilungu) is on a plateau 400 metres (1,300 ft) above the lake and 5 km from Moba.

The city was created in 1893 by White Fathers who established a post at nearby Kirungu which they called Baudoinville/Boudewijnstad after Prince Baudouin of Belgium.

They captured positions held by the Congolese Rally for Democracy-Goma (RCD-Goma), such as Pweto, Pepa, and attacked Moba port.

[4] On 1 August 2007 a mob of demonstrators assaulted United Nations military observers and damaged offices belonging to the UNHCR and sister agencies.