Senate, Auditor General May Have Provoked Closure of Gatuna Border
Support our newsroom by MAKING A CONTRIBUTION HERE

Rwanda and Uganda are embroiled in a bitter row over what exactly is happening at the Gatuna border post. Uganda is saying it is total closure of the border by Rwanda while Rwanda says it’s diversion of heavy vehicles to Kagitumba due to ongoing construction of the One Stop Border Post (OSBP).
As officials on either side of the border exchange strong words over the matter and issues related to the mistreatment of Rwandans in Uganda, the decision to close the border may have been influenced by the Senate and Auditor General – arms of the Rwandan state which have so far not said anything.
A Senate sitting on January 23, in which officials from Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA) were summoned, may have prompted the hasty decision by the government to partially close the Gatuna border post.
RTDA had been summoned to the Senate to explain why the Gatuna One Stop Border Post (OSBP) had taken such a long time to be completed. The senators’ concerns were based on the 2017 Auditor General’s report which particularly singled out the Gatuna border for severe rebuke.
The AG says the Gatuna OSBP was supposed to have been competed in late 2016 or early 2017 lasting just a few months of construction.
Another deadline was set for November 2018. It is now two years behind schedule.

The construction of the Gatuna one-stop border post involves the expansion of a road linking Uganda and Rwanda; upgrading the scanner at the border; construction of a verification storage facility; a control shed, a parking yard and office buildings. All of which are to be based on the Rwandan side of the border.
As a result of the unexplained delay, the cost of the project has exploded by over 240%. The government will now pay Rwf 15.9b for work that had been planned to take only Rwf6.4b.
In addition, government had lost Rwf3.1b paid out to a contractor who failed to fulfill obligations and the contract was terminated in July 2017. The previous contractor completed about 40% of the work.
Months or perhaps years of the legal battles are expected to follow to recover some of the moneys, or even pay more if the contractor wins and demand compensation.
Although the South Korean firm Cheon Kwang Engineering and Construction Company was demanding $6 million, it was paid $900,000 after arbitration. The contract is now with the Rwanda firm NPD Contraco.
In the tense senate session that day back in January, RTDA Director General Imena Munyampenda and Board chair Leopold Mbereyeho were given three months to have competed the Gatuna One Stop Border Post (OSBP).
In other words, RTDA must report back to the Senate in late April with a seal of completion of the Gatuna border – waiting for official opening.
The Senators told the RTDA team that they were going to submit their own recommendations to the Prime Minister Dr Edourd Ngirente. They have not shared what they told the PM.

The Gatuna post is among 15 common border posts that the East African Community has set itself to build. The one-stop borders are supposed to operate 24-hours to speed, simplify and ease clearing and travel.
The OSBP regime was billed as one way to reduce bureaucracy at the border posts and significantly eliminate bribes.
Businesses in the region has for years complained of delays caused by demands for varying and excessive documents from one country to another, insufficient use of information communication technologies as well as lack of coordination between customs bodies and other government agencies.
Since 2010, TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) has been implementing a $75 million One Stop Border Post (OSBP) project that will reduce transit costs incurred in moving goods across borders in the region.
Currently, at the Gatuna border, trucks are checked twice – both on Rwanda and Uganda side, which means more time spent at the border.
The completion of the one-stop post would speed up the clearance process through the use of an X-Ray scanner that can check two vehicles in five minutes, according to the planning.
Fast forward to Thursday morning February 28, Commissioner for Customs Services of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) received a letter from the Rwandan counterpart Uwamariya Rosine.
The letter says “with effect from 28th February 2019, all heavy trucks carrying goods destined and those transiting via Gatuna shall be temporarily diverted from using Gatuna border post to Kagitumba/Mirama hills posts”
The reduction of traffic will provide space and ample time for the contractor to finish Gatuna border.
The Uganda government is reporting the development as a complete border closure – a tone that has escalated the misunderstanding into a full blown diplomatic crisis.
Rwanda is not allowing its citizens to cross to Uganda, and Uganda is not allowing Rwandans already on their side of the border to cross back.

As of Saturday morning March 2, heavy trucks were still arriving at the Gatuna border – finding others that have been there since Thursday.
The Uganda Media Center, the government information office said on social media posts that so far 130 trucks are waiting to cross. It said 54 had been cleared by the Ugandan border, waiting to come to Rwanda.
It remains unclear why, even after Rwanda has asked the trucks to divert to Kagitumba, they are still arriving at the Gatuna border.
Ordinarily, the partial closure of Gatuna to allow the completion of the one-stop border post that benefits both countries would not have caused disorders if there weren’t other unresolved security issues between both countries as The Chronicles has been reporting.
Meanwhile, Rwanda’s foreign affairs minister and government spokesperson Dr Richard Sezibera has scheduled a press conference on Monday 11am to address “local, regional and international issues”.
It will surely be about the sour Rwanda-Uganda marriage.
I think this is among the most vital info for me. And i am glad reading your
article. But wanna remark on some general things, The website style is ideal,
the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers
Fine way of telling, and nice post to obtain data concerning my presentation focus, which i am
going to deliver in university.
If you take on managerial duties, for instance, you’re probably exempt.
My web site … 란제리알바
This is how a typical round plays out when playing Reside Baccarat.
Also visit my web site – 바카라
The BLS estimates employment for lab technicians
to raise 7% in the coming decade, almost double the typical job-growth
price.
Feel free to surf to my page: 미수다알바
Unfortunately, fiatt players are restricted to credit card,
bank wire, and courier check withdrawals.
Also visit my web blog webpage
I have been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or
weblog posts in this sort of space . Exploring in Yahoo I at last
stumbled upon this web site. Studying this info So i am happy to show that I have a very excellent uncanny feeling I
came upon just what I needed. I most indubitably will make certain to
do not put out of your mind this website and give it a glance
on a constant basis.
There is definately a great deal to learn about this subject. I like all the points you made.
Definitely consider that that you said. Your favourite justification seemed to be on the internet the simplest
thing to take into accout of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while other folks
think about concerns that they plainly do not recognize about.
You controlled to hit the nail upon the highest as smartly
as outlined out the whole thing with no need side effect , people could take a signal.
Will likely be again to get more. Thank you
you are in point of fact a just right webmaster.
The web site loading speed is amazing. It kind of feels that you are doing any distinctive trick.
Moreover, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve performed a fantastic job in this matter!
An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this
onto a colleague who was doing a little research on this. And he in fact bought me lunch simply because I
stumbled upon it for him… lol. So let me reword this….
Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to
discuss this matter here on your website.
Learn which slots you can Play Online Casino
on your iPad and where you can play thuem for rue dollars.
It hass a lending limit of only US$1000, sso you can only cater
to quick costs andd bills from the loan you acquire.
Here is my webpage: 개인돈대출
Banker – a beet on the “Banker’s” hand, designated bby
the space on the table exactly where the bet is placed.
my web-site 바카라사이트
And I believe that reflects the truth thbat wee had gone back into the workplace foor numerous oof
us.
Stop by mmy site bj알바
No download casino
Feel free to visit my page – Online Betting
Chrome and Safari are botyh high-quality brosers foor on-line gaming.
My blog … onca.cc
Upgrade increases loan accessibility by also enabling
co-applicants.
Here is mmy blog :: site
The very best result is landing a 10-rank card and an Ace in yopur initial two-card hand.
Feel free to visit my webpage … 바카라
In distinct, they have sign-up bonuses that run in tandem with the beginning oof the NBA andd college basketbasll seasons.
Feel ffee to visit myy page … Gambling site
They will commonly contemplate revenue sources otyher than employment.
Here is my web-site :: 정부지원대출
A good score shows that you aare a responsible borrower aand have
the proper repayment attitude.
Here is my blog 직장인대출
The dealer will be visible on camera and you can communicate with them
utilizng text chat or a microphone iff you favor.
my site :: Online Casino Blackjack
An instance of this security measure can be noticed in the followiong figure.
Look att my web-site – Online Casino Games
JP Morgan Chase is a economic institution with a 200+ year history and additional thsn 250,000 employees.
my page: 미수다알바
Our list only involvfes trusted bookmakers whoo are internationally licensed.
Here is myy blog post: web page
Whhen the state flips the switch, thbese pre-registration presents will no longer be obtainable.
Loook at mmy site Online Gamble
The jobs that have been disappearing, like mschine operator, are predominantly
those thaat guys do.
my blog post :: 유흥알바
Tech Ladies is a community of over one hundred,000 engineers,
information scientists, designers, soklution managers,
and digital marketers.
my web paghe – 미수다알바
In addition to a great salary, a WONK Tutor earns
respect from students and parents aand makes a
positive contribution to society.
Look at my website – 요정알바
mentor for guidance on projects, a university dean aand a buddy
to assistance me
my ste 이지알바
These deposit bonuses are typically exclusive to person Canadian online casinos.
Feeel free to visit my web site 카지노사이트 추천
I just could not go away your web site prior to suggesting that I actually loved the usual info an individual supply on your visitors?
Is going to be back incessantly in order to inspect new posts
Ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic, the proportion of functioning women aged 25
to 54 in the United States had reached a historic higfh of 77%.
my homepage … 밤알바
Hello everyone, it’s my first go to see at this web page,
and article is actually fruitful for me, keep up
posting these articles or reviews.
It’s remarkable to pay a visit this web page and reading
the views of all mates on the topic of this post, while I am also keen of getting familiarity.
magnificent put up, very informative. I’m wondering why the other experts of this sector do not notice this.
You must continue your writing. I am sure, you have a great readers’ base already!
I’m impressed, I must say. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s both equally educative and entertaining,
and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the
head. The issue is something too few folks are speaking intelligently about.
I’m very happy I found this during my hunt
for something regarding this.
We stumbled over here coming from a different web address and thought I
should check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you.
Look forward to exploring your web page repeatedly.
I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every little bit of
it. I have got you book-marked to check out new stuff you
post…
I’ve been browsing online more than 4 hours today, yet
I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me.
In my view, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you
did, the net will be a lot more useful than ever before.
I got this website from my friend who shared with me on the
topic of this website and at the moment this time I am visiting this site and reading very informative articles
at this time.
What i don’t realize is in reality how you’re now not actually much more smartly-favored than you might be now.
You are so intelligent. You know therefore significantly on the subject of this matter,
produced me for my part believe it from numerous varied angles.
Its like women and men are not involved except it is something to do
with Woman gaga! Your individual stuffs excellent. At all times deal with it up!
I get pleasure from, lead to I found just what I used to be having a look for.
You have ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice
day. Bye
I’m not sure where you’re getting your information,
but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more.
Thanks for excellent information I was looking for this info for my mission.
Amazing! This blog looks exactly like my old one!
It’s on a entirely different topic but it has pretty much the same
page layout and design. Great choice of colors!
Stunning story there. What occurred after? Thanks!
whoah this weblog is fantastic i really like studying
your posts. Stay up the good work! You know, many persons are searching round for this info, you could help them greatly.
This is a topic that’s near to my heart… Cheers! Exactly where
are your contact details though?
Awesome! Its in fact remarkable post, I have got much clear idea concerning
from this piece of writing.
This is my first time pay a visit at here and i am really pleassant to read everthing at one place.
This excellent website definitely has all of the information and facts I needed concerning this
subject and didn’t know who to ask.
In this retail environment, fashion brands need to develop new strategies to grab consumers attention by speaking to their hearts.
We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme
in our community. Your website offered us with valuable info to work on. You have done a formidable
job and our entire community will be grateful to you.