The Rwandan authorities reopened the border on January 31st, 2022.
Movement at the Rwanda-Uganda border still low
Almost three weeks after Rwanda reopened its border, there is noticeably low human traffic crossing the border to and from Rwanda.
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However, there is little activity at the Katuna/Gatuna border in Kabale district or Chanika border in Kisoro district since the borders were reopened.
Chris Baryomunsi, Minister for Information Communication Technology (ICT) and National Guidance, says that approximately 100 persons have been cleared at the Katuna border to cross to and from Rwanda on a daily basis compared with the approximately 1000 persons cleared for crossing daily before the border was closed.
Cargo trucks, however, are rolling to and from Rwanda normally, Baryomunsi reveals.
However, he also confirmed suspicions that Rwanda is limiting passenger buses from crossing to Uganda via Katuna and Chanika borders. This, he said, is affecting the commercial extent of business since a limit on the movement of persons is a limit on the business they take or bring with them.
Baryomunsi adds that cross border movement is also being limited by multiple Covid-19 testing protocols in Rwanda.
On the flip side, he says, Rwandans are reluctant to cross into Uganda because of the high Covid-19 testing fees.
The rapid Covid-19 test in Rwanda, he reveals, costs shs20,000 compared to the shs100,000 charged by Ugandan authorities for a PCR test.
However, he notes, Uganda carries out a single test compared to Rwanda’s multiple tests.
In 2017, the disagreements between the two countries festered as Rwanda accused Uganda of habouring rebels plotting to destabilize Kagame’s government.
Rwanda also accused Uganda of illegally arresting its citizens.
These allegations were dismissed as untrue by the Uganda government.
Uganda then counter-accused Rwanda of sending spies to Uganda and planting them in the security forces with the implied aim of overturning Museveni’s government.
Hostilities reached fever pitch when Rwanda closed its border with Uganda in 2019, preventing any Rwandans crossing into Uganda.
However, in a letter circulated widely circulated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Rwanda recently, Kigali indicated its intent to reopen the border as an initial step towards normalising relations between Uganda and Uganda.
In Kampala, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed this fresh chapter in the harmonising of interests between the two countries.
“We appreciate the efforts by the two Heads of State; His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and His Excellency Paul Kagame towards the restoration of the strong historical bilateral ties, crucial for the well-being of the peoples of both countries. We look forward to continued cooperation in addressing any obstacles to our cordial relations. The Government of Uganda remains committed to ongoing efforts to resolve pending issues between our two countries,” read a statement from Uganda’s ministry of foreign affairs.
The ministry also applauded the signal role played by Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations and Commander of Land Forces of Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF), in repairing the previously fractured relations between Uganda and Rwanda.
Kainerugaba, whose visit to Rwanda on January 22, 2022, “gave the assurance to the Government of Rwanda on Uganda’s commitment to addressing the remaining obstacles, hence reopening the border on January 31, 2022,” said the ministry.
On the reopening of the border, Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that their decision was prompted by the January 22 2022 visit of Kainerugaba for closed talks with the president of Rwanda, Paul Kagame.
Rwanda said the visit was a statement of intent on the part of the Uganda government to resolve any bones of contention between the two countries with a view to strengthening diplomatic ties.
“Following the visit to Rwanda of Lt. Gen. Kainerugaba on January 22 2022, the Government of Rwanda has taken note that there is a process to solve issues raised by Rwanda, as well as commitments made by the Government of Rwanda to address the remaining obstacles.”
Rwanda added that “in this regard and in line with the communique of the 4th Quadripartite Summit held at Gatuna/Katuna on February 21, 2020 the Government of Rwanda wishes to inform the public that the Gatuna Post between Rwanda and Uganda will be reopened from January 31, 2022.”
In the same statement, Rwanda also said that the health authorities of Rwanda and Uganda will join initiatives to implement measures facilitating movement “in the context of Covid-19”.
“The Government of Rwanda remains committed to ongoing efforts to resolve pending issues between Rwanda and Uganda and believes that today's (Thursday) announcement will contribute to the speedy normalization of relations between the two countries,” the statement read.
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