Editor,

Reference is made to The New Times, article of November 17, 2011 titled "Kizinga border re-opens”. First, we would like to correct the statement "Kizinga entry point” because it is not the official name of the entry point which instead is Rwempasha.

This entry point is situated in Rugarama Cell, Rwempasha Sector,in Nyagatare District, which traditionally connects residents of Rwempasha Sector in Rwanda to those of Ngoma Gombolola in Uganda.

Before 2008, Rwempasha was used by border communities in both countries. It is factual that in 2008, a provincial security meeting ordered the immediate closure of all illegal entry points which posed a security threat given that there were no mechanisms to control movements.

Later, for the benefit of the sector residents whose life depends much on their cross border activities, the provincial security meeting resolved that some of the entry points be used by border communities including Rwempasha, after agreeing with local authorities and residents of the sector on the control/management measures to avoid the abuse.

Rwempasha entry point may be legally operational but area residents should know it is not an official border point. Area leaders should not also have declared in the media that the border had re-opened since they don’t have powers to announce it.

The move is simply to facilitate area residents carry out business activities across the border but nobody should project this as the opening of a new border point. 

Normally, there are procedures in opening new border posts. Article 3 of the Immigration law states that all border posts are established by Presidential order.

Ange Sebutege
Communication, Customer Care Officer
Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration
Tel:  07 88 84 72 43
pro@migration.gov.rw