NEWS- Katuna Cross border traders and a section of leaders in Kabale District have urged the government to compensate traders who lost goods after the closure of the Katuna-Gatuna border in 2019.
Trademark Africa With the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is implementing a 5year East Africa Economic Recovery and Reform Activity (ERRA) Program.
They revealed this on June 24, 2024, during a two-day capacity-building workshop for small-scale cross-border traders at White Horse Hotel in Kabale.
The leaders, led by Kabale District LC5 Chairperson Nelson Nshanagabasheija, called upon the government to make a special consideration for traders who were trading before the border closure.
Nshanagabasheija expressed concern over embezzlement of funds which should have helped the Katuna Cross-Border Traders, citing that the majority had secured loans from financial institutions.
He urged the government to allocate at least UGX 7 billion to support the traders.
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Traders, including Tindimurekura Justus, Chairperson of Katuna Cross Border Traders Association, Akankwasa Miria Tugume, Chairperson of Katuna Women Cross Border Traders, and her vice, Mrs. Kyarisima Debrah, reported significant losses, especially in perishable products.
They further appealed for compensation and urged the government to address exploitation by Rwandan counterparts on weighing scales and reduce waiting times at the border.
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The Principal Regional Integration Officer in the ministry of East African Community Affairs Mrs. Nakate Sarah, pledged to address their concerns to her superiors”.
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Rwandan President Paul Kagame had closed the borders in 2019, accusing Uganda of hosting Rwandan dissidents, abducting Rwandan nationals, and locking them in non-designated areas.
