Museveni asks Kabale locals to stop operating illegally at Katuna border

President Yoweri Museveni has asked locals close to the border with Rwanda to stop 

smuggling goods into the neighboring country.

While entering Uganda on the road through the Katuna border from Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, the President asked locals in Kabale and the surrounding areas to do business formally because the border point is now officially operational. 

President Museveni had recently traveled to Rwanda to attend the 26th Commonwealth Heads of State and Government Meeting-CHOGM.

In his message to locals at the border town of Katuna and Kabale municipality on Sunday, the President noted that he has information that locals are still illegally transporting goods yet the Bakiga have ditched the practice. 

He explained that it is more profitable to make money in the accepted manner as compared to dealing in the black market, especially for those in the formal sector.

“People of Kabale! Do you still smuggle goods into Rwanda and sell them on the black market? If not, I thank Bakiga for stopping the vice of smuggling. The border is now officially open. Engage yourselves in formal business for those who are in the commercial sector. “

The President encouraged locals to continue trading with Rwanda as a means to rid themselves of poverty, while the government constructs the border to meet required standards.

“The construction of the border post premises is ongoing to meet the required standards together with the road itself,” the President said, adding that what is most important is to focus on poverty eradication in homes.”He added 

He also encouraged locals to engage in government programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM) , Emyooga ,to eradicate poverty in their individual homes.

“The scheme will benefit people who are on small landholding. The other source of funds for your local communities is the Emyooga funds. This also supports people on small landholdings,” he said.

The President was welcomed back by the Minister of State for Transport, Hon. Byamukama Fred, the Minister of State for Industry and area MP, Hon. David Bahati; the UPDF 2nd Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Francis Takirwa, Kabale district, RDC Nyakahuma Godfrey, the Kabale LC 5 Chairman, Mr Nshangabasheija Nelson; UNRA contractors and border post officials among others.

H.E Museveni urged the people to put into practice the objectives of the Parish Development Model (PDM) as the Government has outlined to eradicate poverty in their individual homes.

The border, which had been closed since February 2019 amid a diplomatic impasse,was reopened on January 31, 2022.