Now that the border is formally open, President Museveni encourages Ugandans to conduct official trade between Uganda and Rwanda.
After a four-day business trip to Kigali, where he attended CHOGM2022, he was warmly welcomed back by Ugandans. The residents of Kabale area have been urged by President Yoweri Museveni to conduct legitimate commerce rather than smuggling items into Rwanda.
Museveni made the remark at the Katuna border on his way back from Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, where he had gone to attend the Commonwealth Heads of State and Government Meeting-CHOGM, according to a statement released by the presidential press office.
“The border has been declared open. For people who work in the business world, engage in official business. In order to achieve the necessary criteria, the border post’s surroundings are also being built, according to Museveni.
Invoking Uganda’s alleged targeting of Rwandans, Rwanda had until early this year kept all of its land borders with that country closed. All attempts to get the two nations to put their differences aside failed. However, the situation calmed down after Uganda made significant changes to the security force’s top brass, removing those whom Rwanda had charged with planning the arrests.
Paul Kagame, the president of Rwanda, last visited Uganda around two months ago. He had not been there for more than three years. Museveni has meantime urged Kabale residents to concentrate on eradicating poverty in their homes. He urged the populace to implement the Parish Development Model (PDM) goals as set forth by the government in order to end poverty in each of their particular residences.
People with tiny landholdings will benefit from the program.
The President also informed them that local MPs will educate their constituents about how the fund will be used in their areas. “The Emyooga funds are your local communities’ other source of funding. This helps those who have tiny landholdings as well, he added.
In addition to the UPDF 2nd Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Francis Takirwa, the Kabale district RDC Nyakahuma Godfrey, the Kabale LCV Chairman, Nshangabasheija Nelson, UNRA contractors, and border post officials, Museveni was welcomed at the Katuna border post by Byamukama Fred, the Minister of State for Transport, and David Bahati, the Minister of State for Industry and the local MP.
