In March 2019, Rwanda resumed limited cross-border truck movements from Uganda following a week-long blockade that disrupted regional trade, Ugandan authorities reported. The border closure had halted Ugandan cargo trucks and restricted Rwandan citizens from entering Uganda, according to statements from Kampala.
Uganda’s government spokesman, Ofwono Opondo, confirmed that traffic had resumed at Mirama Hills, one of three major border crossings. However, two other key points, including the busy Katuna post, remained closed. Opondo noted that Uganda would investigate allegations of arbitrary detentions of Rwandan nationals, a claim cited by Kigali for the border restrictions.
The dispute, rooted in longstanding tensions over cross-border support for dissidents, has drawn international diplomatic attention. Analysts highlight the economic interdependence between the two nations, particularly through trade routes to Kenya’s Mombasa port, as a factor preventing the conflict from escalating into open warfare.
Regional trade networks rely heavily on the shared transport corridor, which also serves Burundi and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Prolonged disruptions could trigger economic instability, according to political analyst Nicholas Sengoba, who described the tensions as a "growing cancer" in bilateral relations.
