KAMPORO, Uganda — Key border posts between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have officially reopened, sparking joy among traders and residents in southwestern Uganda but also raising anxieties over the persistent security situation in the volatile region. While officials celebrated the return of formal trade, some wary traders indicated they would “wait and see” before fully resuming operations.
The Bunagana and Busanza border posts in Uganda’s Kisoro District, closed by the Ugandan government in June and October 2022 respectively, are now open for business. On the DRC side, the Ishasha border post, which had been closed since August 2024, also reopened. These closures followed the M23 rebel group’s gaining control of adjacent areas, including Bunagana, Kitagoma, and Ishasha.
During the reopening ceremony at Bunagana last Thursday, Kisoro Resident District Commissioner Badru Ssebyala confirmed the directive came from President Yoweri Museveni, a move corroborated by Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba on his social media platform X.
“On behalf of President Museveni, I hereby declare the official reopening of Bunagana border post for formal trade and communication and we thank God for this,” Ssebyala announced.
Cross Border Traders Association chairperson at Bunagana, James Hashaka, expressed immense relief, noting that cross-border trade had been halted for three and a half years. “We are happy that the Bunagana border post has been reopened for cross-border trade. God has answered our prayers,” Hashaka said, optimistically adding that the reopening “will revive cross-border trade thus boosting trade for the two counterparts.”
Hashaka also appealed to the government for interest-free loans to assist Bunagana traders, many of whom faced severe economic hardship due to the extended closures. Ismail Ndayambaje, Chairperson for Bunagana Town Council, called for special funds to facilitate local leaders in providing essential services, particularly cleaning the border post in anticipation of renewed activity. “Our Bunagana weekly market will be revived, and the collection of fees and taxes from traders… will equally boost local revenue collection for our town council,” Ndayambaje added.
Security Concerns Temper Enthusiasm
Despite the official reopening, a palpable sense of fear and anxiety remains among some traders in Kisoro. Their reluctance to immediately reinvest stems from the fact that areas across the border are still under M23 rebel control.
“We need assurance from the Ugandan government on how our goods in transit will be protected since the people in charge of the area in the DRC are still the ones who ordered the closure of these border posts,” questioned Chris Mugisha, a trader. “What will happen to our goods in transit if the Congolese government opposes the move to reopen the border posts and embarks on fighting the M23 leadership?” Mugisha also called for a memorandum of understanding detailing compensation for Ugandan traders in case of renewed instability.
Kanungu Resident District Commissioner Ambrose Amanyire acknowledged these concerns. He stated that following the reopening of the Ishasha border, authorities engaged the M23 leadership, who agreed to provide security for cross-border traders and their goods, albeit requesting operations only during daylight hours. “I appeal to the Uganda traders to follow the regulations put in place by the authorities on either side for their own good and the safety of their merchandise and the smooth running of cross-border trade,” Amanyire advised.
Meanwhile, Milton Rahuka, the Uganda Revenue Authority manager for western Uganda, confirmed over the weekend that the tax body has already deployed additional staff at the reopened posts to facilitate trade.
The Bunagana Border Crossing, located in southwestern Uganda, serves as a crucial link to eastern DRC via the newly constructed Kabale-Kisoro-Bunagana Road. Its previous closure in June 2022 marked a period of heightened diplomatic tension and significant economic impact on border communities.
