The East African Community Affairs Minister, Rebecca Kadaga has been directed to table a comprehensive statement regarding the reopening of the Uganda-Rwanda border before Parliament.
The directive was issued by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among during the plenary on Tuesday afternoon.
This followed a procedural matter raised by the Opposition Chief Whip, John Baptist Nambeshe, regarding the restriction on the movement of travelers and cargo at the Gatuna/Katuna border.
On Monday 31st January 2022, the Rwandan government reopened Gatuna border three years since its closure on February 27th, 2019. However, reports from journalists who camped at the border indicate that only cargo, a few returning Rwandan citizens and a few Ugandans travelling for essential purposes are being cleared to enter Rwanda.
According to the Rwandan Government, this is a measures put in place to facilitate cross border movement in the context of COVID-19 as discussed by Immigration and Customs officials of both countries in a close day meeting on Monday on the Rwandan side.
The Manjiya County legislator Nambeshe told Parliament on Tuesday that Ugandans were excited at the news of the amicable resolution of the border impasse between Uganda and Rwanda.
However, many Ugandans are confused about the unclear restrictions or specific COVID-19 protocols. He then requested that the East African Community Affairs Minister, Rebecca Kadaga provides information regarding business at the border.
Meanwhile, Busia Municipality MP Geoffrey Macho also demanded that the East African Community (EAC) leaders put all discussions concerning member States in writing so that the public has clear information regarding the different borders.
However, David Bahati the Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Co-operatives attributed the restrictions at the border to the Standard Operating procedures aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19.
This prompted Among to direct Kadaga to give a clear picture to the country on the restrictions by providing a comprehensive statement on the matter so as to end the confusion.
