The border closure between Rwanda and Uganda entered its sixth day on Monday, with the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) admitting it was caught off guard by Kigali's decision. URA Commissioner Dicksons Kateshumbwa highlighted the lack of coordination in a March 2 letter to his Rwandan counterpart, emphasizing the need for joint action on the shared one-stop border posts (OSBPs).
Kateshumbwa argued that the abrupt implementation of the closure disrupted trade, noting that stakeholders required time to adjust. He stressed the urgency of clearing cargo already at the Gatuna border post, which included 10 Rwandan, 49 Ugandan, 37 Kenyan, and nine Burundian trucks. Among these, 17 Kenyan-registered vehicles carried petroleum products, while others transported perishable goods.
"The immediate execution of the closure left no room for logistical adjustments," Kateshumbwa stated, adding that the URA had repeatedly urged Rwanda for a resolution since February 28. Despite these appeals, no response had been received by Monday.
Rwandan authorities closed commercial traffic at Gatuna on Thursday and advised citizens against traveling to Uganda. Immigration officials reportedly blocked Rwandan nationals from crossing into Uganda at all border posts. The crisis has reignited concerns over deteriorating bilateral relations, which have worsened since 2017.
President Paul Kagame attributed the tensions to external influences, claiming in an interview with The EastAfrican that anti-government groups in South Africa were fueling the conflict.
