One-stop border post opens at Mirama • 2017-09-14

NTUNGAMO. A one-stop border post has been opened at Mirama hills-Kagitumba on the Uganda-Rwanda border to facilitate quick movement of traders between the two countries.

The initiative is part of the Africa Trade and Transportation Facilitation Project whose objective is to modernise and strengthen the customs administration and border control agencies in the region to reduce non-tariff costs on trade and smuggling at border crossings.

Officiating at the opening of the facility last Friday, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works, Mr Alex Okello, said traders were being strained by delayed clearance that at times takes a day or two at either side of the border.

He said the delay would at times breed corruption, besides smuggling as impatient traders tried to find the way of doing business in an easier and quicker way.

“…the cost of doing business will become cheap, there will be easy coordination which will ensure transparency,” said Mr Okello.

The facility worth $7.8m has among others, customs and immigration blocks, warehouse building, clearing agents block, goods inspection and verification block and police station.

Source: The Daily Monitor