Uganda, Rwanda start 24-hour border services

Mar 21, 2010

UGANDA and Rwanda revenue authorities on Friday launched a one-stop border system at Gatuna border post on the Rwandan side.

By Beatrice Batamuliza

UGANDA and Rwanda revenue authorities on Friday launched a one-stop border system at Gatuna border post on the Rwandan side.

The service will see both countries share the same office building, data through information technology connectivity and scanning equipment to reduce costs of operations.

The secretary in the Rwandan ministry in charge of East African Community (EAC) affairs, Robert Ssali said the system will help reduce the non-tariff barriers to trade in preparation for the July opening of the East Africa common market.

“The system is to implement the EAC treaty that allows for free movement of goods and services, persons, labour and right to settlement,” he said.

The system will see goods and persons cleared from either border points unlike in the past where the routine was duplicated across the borders.
Uganda’s high commissioner to Rwanda Richard Kabonero said the system was a directive from the presidents of the two countries.

“When we talk of one-stop border operations, it does not mean only revenue and security agents are expected to operate 24 hours but all agents in the business sector should join the operation to ease trade,” he said.

He said the operations were expected to be extended to the Mirama Hills border post.

The Ugandan commissioner general in charge of customs, Steven Malinga, said the system was already in operation on the Malaba border between Uganda and Kenya.

The Rwanda Revenue Authority deputy commissioner general in charge of customs, Eugene Torero, noted that the system will minimise errors while tracking cargo consignments.

“The business community should utilise the trade regime where goods from member states cross borders at zero cost, you access the list of goods and acquire their certificate of origin at the border point,” he urged.

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