Now that the border between Uganda and Rwanda is open, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged Ugandans to conduct official trade between the two countries.
After a four-day business trip to Kigali, where he attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2022 with international leaders, he returned to an overwhelmingly warm reception from Ugandans.
Convoy of President Museveni at the border crossing in Katuna
According to deputy presidential press secretary Farouk Kirunda, “the resounding reception provided to H.E. Museveni in the Gatuna-Kabale district during his CHOGM tour to Rwanda portrays the trust, hope, and confidence that East Africans have in him.”
The affection and adoration shown to H.E. Museveni by the Rwandan populace, he continued, “shows that East Africans value his contribution and visionary agenda for the region.”
Ugandans assemble in great numbers at the border to welcome the president back.
Massive crowds lined up on the streets of Kigali to welcome Museveni to Rwanda, shocking him.
He used the Katuna/Gatuna border to travel by car to Rwanda and back.
He was greeted at the Katuna border post by officials including the Minister of State for Transport, Hon. Byamukama Fred, the Minister of State for Industry, Hon. David Bahati, the Commander of the UPDF’s 2nd Division, Maj. Gen. Francis Takirwa, the RDC for Kabale District, Godfrey Nyakahuma, and the Chairman of Kabale LC 5, Nelson Nshangabasheija.
He had conversations with the UNRA contractors who had built the structures for the customs border points.
He cautioned the audience against smuggling products into Rwanda as he spoke.
“Do you still bring products into Rwanda illegally to sell there? If not, I appreciate Bakiga for putting an end to the vice of smuggling,” he said.
He claimed that now that the border was open, residents of the Kabale district could do official business.
He claimed that the border post’s buildings are still being built to the necessary specifications.
