President Scraps Visa Fees For Locals Entering DRC

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By Phillipa Among 1,155
President Yoweri Museveni has removed costs for locals entering the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and vise verser.
While commissioning the One Stop Border Post and the Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Border Export Zone in Kasese District, the President stated that it is unnecessary for one to acquire a visa just to cross into the DRC yet the countries are part of the East African integrated region.
“Our people here complained that they are being charged to cross to DRC to do business, this is rubbish! Crossing in East Africa should be cost free. You pay visa when going to America, Europe but visa to DRC!  If that is the case, I have removed it,” Museveni said.
He made the call after locals led by the Kasese District LC5 lamented about high visa fees of up to 10.000 shillings to cross borders to the neighbouring country, in addition to other requirements.

 

The locals stated that this makes trading between both countries even more complicated.

 

“For purposes of promoting modern trade and in the spirit of the East African community, we request that you liaise with your counterpart the president of the DRC Tshisekedi to allow Ugandans free entry in order to facilitate business,” Mukombi Muhindi, the Kasese LC5 said.

 

The World Bank financed the construction of the OSBP facility to the tune of over Shillings 5 billion through the Great Lakes Trade Facilitation – GLTF Project.

 

The facility comprises offices from the immigration, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), and security among others.

 

OSBP is meant to enable cross-border trade by increasing the capacity for commerce and reducing the costs faced by traders, especially small-scale and women traders, at targeted locations in the borderlands.

 

Similarly, the president also commissioned the Border Export Zone that was constructed to the tune of over US$ 1. 3 million at the Uganda-Democratic Republic of Congo -DRC in Mpondwe.

 

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