Burundi-Rwanda border closure hurting Uganda exports

Summary:

• The closure of the Burundi-Rwanda border has impacted Uganda, despite its lack of involvement in the tensions between the two countries. This has disrupted the transportation of goods, forcing Ugandan trucks to take a longer and more expensive route through Tanzania.

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The closure of the Burundi-Rwanda border will impact Uganda, despite the fact that the country is not directly involved in the tensions between the two nations.

Recently, the Burundi government shut down its border with Rwanda, alleging that Kigali supported rebels responsible for the killing of Burundian nationals. Rwanda has denied these allegations.

This development followed an attack by a rebel group on a village in western Burundi, resulting in the death of 20 people.

As a consequence of the border closure, the transportation of goods from Uganda to Burundi has been disrupted, as the usual route through Rwanda is no longer accessible. Trucks are now compelled to take a longer and more expensive route through Tanzania.

William Busuulwa, the chairperson of Uganda National Transport Alliance, stated that transport costs have increased. Initially charging around $3,300 to $3,500 for transporting cargo weighing 28 to 30 tonnes from Uganda to Burundi through Rwanda, they now have to charge approximately $4,000 for the same weight using the Tanzanian route.

Uganda exports goods worth $65 million annually to Burundi, with major exports including petroleum, electronics, and steel products. The rise in transport costs is expected to lead to increased prices for goods in Burundi.

Uganda’s Ambassador to Burundi, Maj Gen Matayo Kyaligonza, expressed uncertainty regarding the impact on Ugandan goods, stating that details are yet to be confirmed.

This isn’t the first time that goods from Uganda have faced obstacles in reaching Burundi. In February 2019, Rwanda closed its border with Uganda, diverting Ugandan and Burundian traders to use the Tanzanian route, resulting in a significant drop in trade between Uganda and Burundi.

President Museveni had previously proposed a road construction project from Uganda through Tanzania to Burundi to facilitate trade. However, this project was put on hold when Rwanda reopened its border.

Uganda, being landlocked, encounters challenges in transporting goods to neighboring countries due to conflicts, non-tariff barriers, and political tensions. Similar issues have been experienced in South Sudan and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

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