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Handover Ceremony of the Mutukula OSBP • 2017-08-14
Uganda being a landlocked country and our economy relies on its border crossings for import and export trade; however the biggest challenge has been delays in cross boarder clearance of both cargo and people constituting a major non tariff barrier to trade in the region. This translates into high cost of transportation; high cost of imported goods and increased production costs leading to noncompetitive pricing of our goods in external markets.
The delays in cross border clearance have to a large extent been attributed to duplication of handling procedures on either side of the border. This has been further complicated by other factors like poor institutional arrangements and cargo management systems; inadequate physical infrastructures and services required for cross boarder cargo and immigration management.
Therefore the newly established one stop boarder post will play a key role in addressing the above challenges. The Government of Uganda and Trademark Africa financed the Project.
The Construction of the Mutukula one stop border post is one of the several activities under the Africa Trade and Transportation project.
The Africa Trade and Transportation project is also financing the construction of similar facilities at Malaba, Busia, Mirama Hills (including the Ntugamo-Mirama Hills road), Katuna and Elegu/Nimule border posts as well as modern weighbridges to protect the road network. Most of these have been completed and are operation with exception of Katuna and Elegu where works are still on-going.
The OSBP facilities in place together with the Integrated border management system being finalized, and the electronic cargo tracking system will result into simplified customs and immigration procedures and reduced boarder clearance and crossing time, which will lower transport costs and ultimately the cost of doing business in Uganda and the region.
The facilities were Officially handed over to the Commissioner general of Uganda Revenue Authority.
