BUSINESSES SHINE AFTER RWANDA RE-OPENS KATUNA BORDER

By Allan Mugabe

www.mknewslink.com

In Kabale

Business at Katuna boarder post yesterday shined, a day after the Rwandan Revenue Authority announced that the Uganda-Rwanda border of Gatuna border will be open for heavy trucks movement from 10^th June 2019 up to 22nd June 2019.

According to an announcement dated 7th June 2019 signed by the Commissioner General Rwanda Revenue Authority Pascal Bizimana Ruganintwali, the partial opening that started today is aimed at carrying out trials for heavy trucks movement on Gatuna One Stop Border Post and to assess the operation of the constructed works and equipment before the reception of works.

When www.mknewslink.com reporter contacted the Katuna Town Council LC3 chairman Nelson Nshangabasheija on phone, he said that since Tuesday evening, buses such as Volcano, Trinity were seen coming from Rwanda to Uganda and over eight trailers and Fusos were seen crossing to Rwanda carrying merchandise. Nshangabasheija said that in the buses that entered Uganda from Rwanda, no Rwandan was on board.

The in-charge of Uganda customs at Katuna Emmanuel Bamanya confirmed to our reporter that they cleared many vehicles coming from Rwanda and those going to Rwanda on Tuesday but did not tell the exact number.

He instead referred our reporter to the manager Uganda Revenue Authority for more information.

On 27th February 2019, Rwandan officials closed its borders, to purportedly expedite the construction of the single customs post at Gatuna border and advised truck drivers destined to Kigali to use Kagitumba border via Mirama Hills.

However, Rwandan officials including President Paul Kagame later accused Ugandan authorities of abducting its citizens and locking them up in ungazetted areas.

Rwanda also accused Uganda of hosting and facilitating dissidents especially Rwanda National Congress-RNC and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda FDLR, which have declared war on the Kigali government. Rwanda advised its citizens against travelling to Uganda, saying it can’t guarantee their safety.

Rwanda also deployed security officials and destroyed all temporary bridges to bar Rwandans from crossing to Uganda.

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