Rwanda and Ugandan officials have agreed that truck drivers and only essential travellers be permitted entry to both countries pending streamlining of COVID-19 protocols by both ministries of health to allow other travellers.
The borders between the two countries were officially reopened on Monday, 31 January 2022 after nearly two years of closure.
But while truck drivers were allowed to cross, ordinary citizens were not, leading to closed door meeting between Uganda and Rwandan officials at the Gatuna/Katuna border.
Lynder Nkuranga, Director General of Rwanda Immigration, led the Rwanda delegation while the Uganda officials included Marcelino Bwesigye, Assistant Commissioner Immigration Inspections.
From the meeting, it was agreed that truck drivers be given priority while other travellers will only cross after undergoing COVID-19 testing and other protocols to be set by both ministries of health.
“Priority is being given to cargo trucks. Regarding humans, we are following the East Africa COVID19 protocols. Non-essential travel is not encouraged,” Bwesigye said.
Abel Kagumire, the Commissioner for customs at URA, said: “People will be allowed to move but they will have to follow the rules of the other country (Rwanda). Our going to Rwanda today morning was specifically to work out modalities on how we are going to clear cargo”