Any bus crossing from Rwanda to Uganda risks a $5,000 fine (sh18m), if found with a Rwandan passenger on board. This comes as the crisis at the Uganda-Rwanda border of Katuna enters the fifth day.
It also follows a warning from the Rwandan government advising its citizens not to travel to Uganda. According to Gideon Ashaba, a bookings officer at Jaguar Buses Limited, authorities in Rwanda have warned them against violating a directive that requires them to transport only non-Rwandan nationals.
“We are making losses because of the stand-off. A bus that used to transport 60 passengers, now only comes with about 15,” Ashaba said.
According to Nelson Nshangabasheija, the Katuna town council mayor, the charge levied against transporters is an indication of the prevailing tense situation.
“Why would Rwanda block its citizens from coming into Uganda and even impose a fine?” he asked.
Nshangabasheija asked Presidents Yoweri Museveni and Paul Kagame of Rwanda to resolve the issues at hand.
“We understand the two Presidents are friends,” Nshangabasheija said.
Hussein Kato, who was driving a truck loaded with cassava, said he has so far lost about 50 bags due to the delayed clearance. At the Uganda immigration offices, there were a handful of people being cleared to cross to or from Rwanda, unlike before, where long queues would be seen.
Over 100 trucks of goods from Uganda heading to Rwanda are still parked at the border awaiting clearance since Wednesday last week. In Kampala, the proprietors of buses that operate between Uganda and Kigali are also counting losses.
The terminal yesterday appeared deserted with only three buses and no passengers booking to travel to Rwanda. “The border crisis has affected us. We can no longer operate many buses,” said a manager with one of bus companies.
A source told us that Volcano Bus Company has been operating a fleet of about 120 buses, but now can only operate three.
“That is how bad our business has been affected by the closure,” Julius Muhirwe, a booking officer with Trinity Buses, said.
Muhirwe, who operates at Namayiba Bus Terminal wondered why the two governments cannot talk and iron out their differences.
“If you have misunderstandings, talk to each other,” Muhirwe said.
