Uganda-Rwanda Border Reopens After 3 Years

The border between Uganda and Rwanda has been re-opened after three years of closure.

Effective Monday, March 7, Rwanda has re-opened all its land borders but people will be subjected to random Covid-19 testing by the Ministry of Health upon entry.

The affected borders include that with Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania and DR Congo.

WATCH: Rwandans excited at the opportunity to finally travel to Uganda as Kigali Opens land borders today.

Read: https://t.co/OYbbkPkq18#SoftPowerNews #Uganda #Rwanda 📹: Courtesy pic.twitter.com/qAl7SwAIHm

— SoftPower News (@SoftPowerNews) March 7, 2022

According to local media, the opening of the Gatuna/Katuna border in South Western Uganda, excited residents and business people on both sides who have been facing financial hardships.

The Assistant Commissioner URA in charge of field services customs, Hassan Kisitu, recently told NTV that the closure paralysed cross-border trade that incurred huge losses to the Ugandan economy.

A group of tourists was also seen crossing over to Uganda from Rwanda.

Rwandans jubilate as the first bus headed to Kampala, #Uganda today 7/3/2022 through #Katuna /#Gatuna border for the first time ever since Kigali closed land borders 3 years ago.

They were accorded warm welcome by Ugandans.#SoftPowerNews #Rwanda #Travel
📹 Musinguzi Goodluck pic.twitter.com/0kK1wjRLND

— SoftPower News (@SoftPowerNews) March 7, 2022

Likewise, the first bus belonging to Volcano Bus Company and carrying Rwandan passengers was seen crossing the Katuna border into Uganda.

The Gatuna-Katuna border was first partially re-opened in January to allow cargo trucks to cross.