Ugandan traders operating along the Uganda-Rwanda border have been advised to comply with Rwandan government rules so as to avoid any trouble.
The advice was sounded by Revenue Authority -URA after Rwanda fully reopened its land borders with Uganda.
Initially, Rwanda partially reopened the border on January 31st, 2022 until last week when they announced a full reopening yesterday Monday 7th March 2022.
H.E Paul Kagame the Rwandan President closed all land borders with Uganda on February 27, 2019, accusing Uganda of hosting Rwandan dissidents, abducting Rwandan nationals, and locking them in non-designated areas.
Peter Gikwiyakare, Uganda Revenue Authority Customs Manager in charge of the south-western region told the media at Katuna border on Monday evening, that as much as border reopening brings many opportunities for cross border trade and household income improvement, traders must endeavor to comply with requirements set by the Rwandan government.
He further noted that Ugandan traders must always liaise with Ugandan authorities to help them in complying by providing permits. He also says that traders should first conduct a study and regulatory terms and conditions about goods they have before crossing to sell.
According to Honest Tahinduka, a private clearing agent with Transco International Cargo Services, with the increase of trucks crossing, they hope that business will revive steadily.
