The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda Revenue Authority has warned that goods on stuck trucks at the border could be lost, while others pose a danger.
Many of the trucks are carrying perishable goods such as mangoes and cassava and others were carrying petroleum products. Ten Rwanda registered trucks, 47 Ugandan, 37 Kenyan and nine Burundian trucks which had already been cleared by Rwanda authorities are still stuck at the border.
According to Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Kateshumbwa Commissioner in charge of Customs Dicksons Kateshumbwa, there are potential risks of keeping highly inflammable products at the border and a likely deterioration of the value of perishable products.
Kateshumbwa said the trucks cannot turn back because of a clogged border. This is in a letter dated Saturday, March 2, 2019, addressed to Rwanda Revenue Authority.
“It is practically impossible for trucks to turn back from their positions given that the entire border is choked and there is virtually no space to manoeuvre,” he added.
He said that the solution to decongest the border is for Rwanda to let trucks that had been cleared to use Gatuna border. “It’s prudent that we take steps to unclog the border by facilitating the consignments that are already at the border having arrived before the notice,” he said.
Kateshumbwa warned that if not well managed the situation will continue to increase the cost of doing business not only for Uganda and Rwanda but for other partner states whose cargo is loaded on the trucks.
URA has asked its counterparts in Rwanda to clear trucks that are stuck at Gatuna border, arguing that it’s practically impossible for them to turn back.
Rwanda has closed its border since Wednesday last week, reportedly to pave way for upgrading the One Stop Border Post and advised cargo trucks to turn-back and use Mirama Hill border situated in Ntungamo district.
But the unannounced closure is proving to be something beyond the upgrade of a border post as senior government officials on both sides continue to exchange comments depicting hostility between the two neighbouring countries.
Kateshumbwa said the trucks cannot turn back because of a clogged border. This is in a letter dated Saturday, March 2, 2019, addressed to Rwanda Revenue Authority.
Kateshumbwa said URA has made the appeal since last week, Thursday 28, February 2019, but there is no positive response from the Rwanda side yet.
****
URN
