Long-route cargo drivers stuck at Katuna border post amid DRC crisis
Some of the stranded long-route cargo truck drivers stand in front of one their vehicles parked at Katuna border post on March 10, 2025. PHOTO | ROBERT MUHEREZA
What you need to know:
- The stranded drivers have appealed to the government to find alternative solutions. They suggest reconfiguring the system to either allow the goods to return to their origin or permit them to deliver to the original destinations to prevent further losses.
Five long-route cargo truck drivers are currently stranded at the Katuna border post in Kabale District following a directive issued by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) on March 3. The directive halted their journey to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to the ongoing fragile security situation.
The directive, issued by Commissioner of Customs Hajj Asadu Kigozi Kisitu, states:
“It is now internationally recognised that Goma and Bukavu towns are no longer under the control of the central government of the Democratic Republic of Congo. As a result, DRC customs informed us that the lack of control has caused significant revenue losses for goods destined to these towns. To mitigate this critical revenue loss, all goods destined for the DRC will be cleared through border posts other than Katuna, Bunagana, Cyanika, Ishasha, Busanza, and Kyeshero. The system will be configured to temporarily deactivate these posts from transiting goods to the DRC. This directive takes immediate effect and will remain in place until the political situation improves or until further notice.”
The stranded drivers, including Mr Robert Waiswa and Mr Charles Kamulegyeya, have appealed to the government to find alternative solutions. They suggest reconfiguring the system to either allow the goods to return to their origin or permit them to deliver to the original destinations to prevent further losses.
“I have been stranded at Katuna border post for nine days now. The transit goods from Roofings and Gentex were stopped from proceeding to Goma and Bukavu. All the allowances I had budgeted for the Kampala-Kigali-Goma route have been exhausted, and now I’m depending on God’s mercy. My family is starving,” said Mr Waiswa, adding that the URA order came after they were already in transit.
Mr Kamuregyeya, another stranded driver, echoed similar concerns, urging the government to either allow them to continue to their original destinations or allow the goods to be returned to the manufacturers. This would help alleviate the pressure they are facing from the DRC traders who hired them, as well as the owners of the vehicles, who want their trucks unloaded to continue with other work.
“I am worried that the goods we are carrying may spoil, and our bosses’ vehicles might develop mechanical problems due to the prolonged parking. It’s our humble appeal to the government to intervene, as this situation is beyond our control,” Mr Kamuregyeya stated.
Mr Julius Arineitwe, the senior clearing agent for transit goods in the Kigezi region, confirmed that five cargo trucks carrying goods to Goma and Bukavu are currently parked at the Katuna customs parking yard in Kabale. Seven other trucks with similar goods are parked at the Cyanika border in Kisoro District.
