Katuna border remains closed despite the continuous meetings between the two governments of Rwanda and Uganda with an aim of discussing its opening.
Rwanda accuses Uganda of supporting the Rwandan rebels which Uganda denies and as well accuses Rwanda of supporting the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) which is a rebel group in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Additionally, Uganda accuses Rwanda of kidnapping innocent people.
It has been the fourth time since the two governments started meeting but on all the for occasions, the two leaders, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda and General Paul Kagame of Rwanda, have failed to agree to open the border
The katuna border communities are one social group have the same culture and speaking the same language with relatives on both sides of the border. Katuna is also a major trade link in northern corridor affecting trade of over five countries namely Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Since its closure Uganda manufacturers of cement, iron sheets, and food are counting losses because Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo were the major markets. Similarly, Rwanda is suffering from food shortages and other essential supplies in the country being that Rwanda depends on imported goods from Uganda.
It should be remembered that the border closure has taken a year since February 2019, following allegations of Uganda incarcerating Rwandan citizens, a series of meetings have taken place between the two governments since then.
As a result, Ugandan government has released at least 20 victims in line with the Luanda Memorandum of Understanding signed between Uganda and Rwanda on the normalization of the relations between the two countries.
All is done but the border is still closed yet the two governments keep promising their citizens that the border will soon be opened.
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