Uganda’s police say it is monitoring the situation along the country’s border with Rwanda as tensions between the two nations sour.
Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga made the revelation on Monday during a press briefing at the police headquarters.
“We continue to actively monitor the situation along the border between Uganda and Rwanda, 5 days after it was closed to commercial trucks from the Ugandan side. The border supports bilateral trade between Uganda and Rwanda with thousands of commercial trucks crossing each year, in both directions with goods,” Enanga said.
Last week, Rwanda closed one of its border points with Uganda, a move that has since affected traders plying the route.
Enanga added, “In addition, thousands of individual cross the border each day thus demonstrating the integral role the border plays as both an economic and social lifeline.”
His remarks come on the heels of news that the Rwanda government has deployed her army on the border with Uganda.
He also warned of the impact of the border impasse on both countries and urged leaders to ‘communicate effectively.’
“As a result, delays in processing people or goods on the Rwandan side will result in traffic congestion that could have a negative impact on both countries economic and ways of life. We call upon all stakeholders including the local government leaders, regional security committees, the private and public sector to ably communicate effectively, with one another, and implement the new cross boarder procedures and processes, and further allocate and deploy resources to meet the specific traffic needs on the Ugandan side,” Enanga said.
He revealed that business on the Ugandan side is normal despite the disruption in travel to the Rwandan side concerns.
“We would like to caution the Ugandan media and in particular the online media, who are trying to alarm the situation, to observe their reporting in a balanced manner,” he said.
