The Uganda-Democratic Republic of Congo border point at Bunagana in South Western Uganda has been re-opened after 20 months since the defeated M23 rebellion cropped in Eastern Congo.
Refugees at the Bunagana border town
Ahmed Doka, the Resident District Commissioner for Kisoro district said they were invited by the Governor of North Kivu to attend an official function.
Doka says Uganda had closed its border in 2012 when DRC government complained that M23 rebels were earning revenue through taxes charged at this border point.
He says Uganda re-opened its side in 2013 only allowing vehicles with less than 10 tonnes.
Doka says since last month when DRC forces drove M23 from the border, no vehicles have been crossing.
He says trade is going to flourish again because war that led to the closure of the border post is over.
Doka says both countries have immigration officers who will begin clearing vehicles and traders.
Sam Byibisho, the Mayor of Kisoro town council says most traders in the region use this border post because it’s shorter connecting to Goma and Rutshuru cities.
Byibisho says Kisoro district will rise again because most traders had shunned the district as they could not carry on with trade.
By Goodluck Musinguzi,The New Vision
