US$10 million earmarked for one-stop border post

TradeMark East Africa (TMEA), a non profit making organisation will inject US$10 million in setting up a One Stop Border Post (OSBP) at the Uganda-Rwanda borders of Gatuna and Kagitumba, the organisation has said. Graham Johnson, a Customs Advisor at TMEA said yesterday that the money will be directed towards activities that will enable the successful operation of the border points. The OSBP project is expected to shift Kagitumba border economic activities to Mirama Hills, where one structure will be shared by authorities in both countries. The project is aimed at easing customs activities at the two border points. “Institutions charged with border activities from both countries will have to share infrastructure, laboratory with ICT modern equipments, ware houses and international sign posts will be used- to help minimize the time to be used at these entry points,” Johnson said. The official was speaking at a workshop convened to explore ways of implementing the project. It drew participants from various institutions from Rwanda and Uganda as well as development partners. The Acting Commissioner for Customs and Head of Field Operation at RRA, Zephanie Muhingi, said the one stop centre will make operation even more efficient. “According to the study conducted, we realised that it takes 30 minutes for a person to be served at our side and another 30 at the Ugandan side,” Muhingi explained. He said this duration could reduce to at least 20 minutes or less. Ends

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US$10 million earmarked for one-stop border post