Kigezi Leaders Ask Govt to Reopen DRC Border

“We appeal to President Museveni to use the same strategy that was used for the reopening of Ugandan land borders with Rwanda to apply it for the reopening of the Ugandan land borders with the DRC. This will revive the economy in Kisoro and Kanungu districts that has slowed down because of the closed border posts,” Mr Bizimana said.

Last month, a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) contingent of about 5,000 soldiers was deployed in the DRC through Bunagana Border Post in Kisoro District. The commander of the East African community Joint Forces, Gen Jeff Nyagah, promised that the Bunagana-Goma road would be opened for the revival of cross border trade and the free movement of goods and people but to date, nothing has changed.

“Although the promises were made, up to now, there is no cross border trade visible at Bunagana border. We also expected that the deployment of the East African Joint Forces would facilitate the construction of the Bunagana-Goma road but this is yet to happen. It’s our prayer as local leaders from the affected districts that the construction works for the Bunagana-Goma road begins because it will facilitate trade,” Mr Bizimana said.