By Enock Ndyamuhakyi
Kabale, Uganda – April 28, 2025-The Chairperson of Kabale Municipality Traders’ Association (KMTA), Michael Byamungu Turyamureba Rwasabutare, has raised concern over the continued challenges faced by Ugandan traders at the Katuna border, citing extremely high tariffs imposed by the Rwandan government as a major obstacle to cross-border trade.
Speaking at a press conference organized today by KMTA in partnership with the Uganda National Traders Alliance (UNATA), Byamungu noted that despite the reopening of the Katuna and Cyanika borders three years ago, trade remains largely one-sided, with Rwandan traders easily accessing Uganda while Ugandan goods are heavily taxed upon entry into Rwanda.
“Ugandan traders find it almost impossible to make profits when trading in Rwanda due to the excessive tariffs. Meanwhile, Rwandan traders enter Uganda without facing similar challenges,” Byamungu lamented.
He called on UNATA to escalate the issue to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for a diplomatic solution that favors free and fair cross-border trade.
Byamungu also highlighted unstable electricity supply in the Kigezi region as another major hindrance to effective trading activities.
Responding to the concerns, UNATA President Godfrey Katongole reaffirmed that the ongoing national consultative tours, including the upcoming one in Kabale, were initiated by directive from the President to gather comprehensive feedback from traders across the country. Katongole assured that all grievances, including cross-border trade challenges, would be compiled into a detailed report and presented to the President for action.
He also urged traders across Uganda to join local trade unions and associations like KMTA, noting that a unified voice is crucial for addressing and lobbying for traders’ interests at the national level.
Tomorrow, April 29, 2025, UNATA will hold a major consultative meeting with Kabale traders at Kirigime Guest House, Southern Division, Kabale Municipality. The meeting is part of a wider tour that has already covered Kasese, Masaka, Fort Portal, Gulu, Mubende, Soroti, and Mbale, with future stops planned for Mbarara and Jinja City, where traders from the entire Busoga region will converge on May 13, 2025.
Simon Sezzi, UNATA’s General Secretary, emphasized that the tours were prompted by growing traders’ demands for better working conditions and fairer trade practices across the country.
