There was excitement yesterday as the Government of Uganda reopened several border crossing posts with the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, including areas near positions held by the M23 rebel group marking a major milestone in restoring cross-border trade, regional communication and economic stability.
Uganda’s Military spokesperson Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye told journalists that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni ordered the reopening of the Bunagana and Busanza border points in Kisoro District and Ishasha and Kyeshero in Kanungu District and other border posts.
According to security authorities, the border posts were closed in late January this after M23 rebels captured Goma, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s North Kivu Province.
Subsequently upon getting clearance from the Commander in Chief, the UPDF Ugandan Chief of Defense Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, instructed all UPDF military commanders along the shared border to allow people to move freely and conduct business.
In Kanungu the Ishasha border was reopened by the Resident District Commissioner Ambrose Amanyire Mwesigye and the event was witnessed by other government officials and the Kanungu District business community while in Kisoro the Resident District Commissioner Hajji Badru Sebyalla accompanied by the LC 5 Chairman Abel Bizimana officiated at the opening ceremony.
The Democratic Republic of Congo was represented by the Bunagana Mayor Desire Kanyamarere who expressed relief and optimism, noting that the border closure had severely impacted residents with increased famine, unemployment, and poverty and expressed hope that renewed cross-border activities will revitalize local economies on both sides
However, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) officers at Ishasha and Bunagana noted that they are still awaiting formal administrative directives from central authorities and they urged the public to be patient as official procedures are finalized.
The reopening of the border posts at Ishasha and Bunagana is expected to breathe new life into cross-border commerce and relations, offering a fresh chapter of peace, prosperity and cooperation between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
