Trucks finally crossed from Uganda, and others from Rwanda as officials met most of the day to try and agree on how the border operations will run in light of COVID-19 restrictions.
Preparations are ongoing at Katuna ahead of the official reopening of the Uganda-Rwanda border today after three years of closure.
This morning, our reporter visited Katuna border and saw a scanner from Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) registration number UBK 998T positioned on the no man’s land on the Ugandan side, ready for duty.
He also saw a truck registration number UAY 634S parked on the Ugandan’s side waiting to cross to Rwanda.
URN also saw a tent that will host Ugandan health officials who will conduct COVID-19 testing for people crossing the border.
Ugandan customs were also busy preparing to resume work. Flabison Waswa, a truck driver told URN that he was among the first, cleared around 3.00 am.
He has welcomed the border reopening, saying it will ease their access to Rwanda.
Waswa however, expressed concern about the slow progress of the works of upgrading the customs building on the Ugandan side, and the parking yard.
He says that after being cleared he got stuck in the mud until at around 10am.
Kabale and Rukiga district officials led by the LC 5 Chairman, Nelson Nshangabsheija, and Rukiga County MP, Roland Ndyomugyenyi were at Katuna border for the opening.
Rwanda closed its border with Uganda on February 27, 2019, after President, Paul Kagame accused Ugandan authorities of spying on Rwanda, abducting Rwandan nationals,.
He also accused Uganda of hosting and facilitating dissidents who have declared war on the Kigali administration.
Rwanda then issued a travel advisory to its nationals against traveling to Uganda, saying their safety was not guaranteed.
After months of negotiations, Rwanda announced on January 28th, 2022 the planned reopening of the border.
The announcement came days after the Commander of the Land Forces Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba visited Kigali where he held talks with the president, Kagame on the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Entry modalities
Rwandan authorities are however still barring Ugandans from crossing to their country through Katuna in Kabale and Chanika in Kisoro districts despite the border re-opening today, according to travelers themselves and highly placed security sources.