H.E the President of the Republic of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today commissioned the One Stop Border post and the Border Export zone at Uganda – DRC border in Mpondwe Lhubiriha Town council.
The commissioned facilities will bring together all the different agencies of Government involved in export trade including Security, URA , Ministry of Trade , among others and will facilitate over 25000 traders to conduct inter border trade.
Since 2020, business at the border has been affected by the closure of the border due to COVID-19 outbreak which affected the traders and other members of the community whose livelihoods were dependent on cross border business.
In reference to this, the hosting LCI Chairperson and the LC V Chairperson Hon. Muhindi Erifaz Bukombi requested the President to officially open the border to allow the business community conduct cross border business smoothly.
In addition to the above request, the district Chairperson requested the President to consider the following issues; upgrading of Rukoki HC IV to a hospital, settlement of internally displaced persons(IDPs) , desilting of the rivers, finding a potential investor for kilembe mines company limited , among others.
While addressing the delegates, the President emphasized the issue of commercial farming to improve household incomes.
He called upon families to embrace utilizing inherited land for income generation and children holding shares instead of dividing land for selfish interests.
As requested by the district leadership, the president officially opened the Mpondwe Lhubiriha border and stopped collection of money from citizens to allow them cross the border.
The president pledged to critically look into the District Chairpersons Memorandum presented to him and respond to all the issues raised accordingly.
The event was attended by delegates from Uganda the DRC including security officials, Political leaders , Local Government officials and business community stakeholders who appreciated Government for these vast projects that will strengthen inter border trade.
Kabugho Sharon
Communications officer.
