Rwanda has on Monday June 10, 2019 temporarily opened its Gatuna border with Uganda to carry out trials for heavy trucks movement.
In a letter dated June 7, 2019, the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) Commissioner General Pascal Bizimana Ruganintwali informed the public that heavy trucks are provisionally allowed to cross the border in order to facilitate the trial activities as requested by Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA).
“Reference is made to Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA) letter dated June 7, 2019 which expresses the need to carry out trials for the heavy trucks movement at Gatuna OSBP for a period of two weeks from 10th up to 22nd and assess the operationalization of the constructed works and equipment before the reception of works,” said Bizimana.
Relations between the two nations soured in February this year after Rwanda blocked Ugandan cargo trucks from entering its territory at the busiest crossing point, Gatuna, and barred its nationals from crossing into Uganda.
RRA stated that it was restricting cargo trucks from Uganda from entering the country at the Gatuba/Katuna to give room for the completion of infrastructure upgrade at the one-stop border post.
Days later, the country came out to accuse Uganda of illegally arresting, torturing and deporting its citizens, offering support to two foreign-based Rwanda rebel groups and economic sabotage.
Rwandan Foreign Minister Richard Sezibera revealed that they opted to block their nationals from traveling to Uganda because they could not guarantee their safety in the neighboring country.
The government in Kampala has since denied the allegations.
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