Rwanda has for the second time closed its Katuna/Gatuna border with Uganda, 12 days after it was re-opened.
Rwanda Revenue Authority [RRA] had said it would allow heavy trucks to cross temporarily as a trial which came to its close on Saturday June 22.
The border was first closed in February this year on pretext of repairs.
Uganda Radio Network [URN] reports that even with the temporary opening, some traders found it difficult crossing the border and fewer trucks were allowed to go through.
The Katuna border weekly market known as “World Market” inside Uganda was poorly attended and there was remarkable absence of Rwandans, usually the major customers.
On June 19, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) installed a mobile cargo scanner at Katuna Border post to ensure there are no illegal declarations.
Rwandans are still not allowed to cross to Uganda. Ugandan traders were advised to use the Cyanika and Kagitumba border posts to go to Rwanda.
Kampala has lost more than $664 million’s worth of exports to Rwanda while Kigali has lost $104 million during the three months the Gatuna border has been closed, according to Uganda’s East African Community Ministry.