It’s almost two years now since Rwanda-Uganda relations started escalating to worrying levels. This culminated to Rwanda’s decision to “strongly advise its citizens not to travel to Uganda due to ongoing arrests, harassment, torture, illegal incarceration without consular access, deportation, etc., of Rwandan citizens” as tweeted by the country’s Foreign Minister, Dr Richard Sezibera. He added that: “This is for their [Rwandan nationals] own security. Ugandans in Rwanda or travelling through Rwanda are safe.” Why this decision and why has Rwanda taken this long to act? There was a time when Rwanda-Uganda relations could be described as being characterised by “tensions.” This was even prior to Uganda starting to arrest and torture Rwandans. Once these acts began, the situation could no longer be described as one of mere tensions. These were acts of outright aggression. Indeed, as long as the other side did not react in a similar vein, then the right description could be said to be that these were Ugandan provocations towards Rwanda. But why wasn’t Rwanda retaliating in similar coin and equal measure against Ugandans in Rwanda, and why has it circumvented this temptation, instead advising its citizens to avoid travel to Uganda? The answer is that, like all provocations, it represents a trap. The appropriate counter to such a trap is, moreover, to side-step it, denying the provocateur what they seek to further the aims for which they set the trap in the first place. It is only by grasping what this trap by the Ugandan...

The Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) signed in March 2018 aims to establish a single market across the continent. This challenge is also an opportunity to extend the provision of regional public goods beyond hard infrastructure. Peace and security, mining, and energy are such examples covered in the Africa Economic Outlook 2019. Until now, evaluation of the progress of integration across Africa has centered on the eight African Union-recognized Regional Economic Communities—and seven other economic organizations—all primarily aimed at deepening intra-regional trade. But regional integration has always been about more than an exchange of market access and cooperation. At the very least, there is always a need for rail, road, and other means of communication. In its assessment of progress and prospects for the recently signed African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Africa Economic Outlook 2019 concentrates on the progress of cooperation to develop regional public goods. A tally of regional organizations dealing with regional public goods shows that five deal with energy, 15 with the management of rivers and lakes, three with peace and security, and one with the environment. The key distinctive feature of regional public goods is that, unlike national public goods, no single body with the authority of a state exists to ensure the supply of the good. Since all Regional Economic Communities have more than two members, some collective action is necessary to provide these regional public goods. Governance (implementing shared standards and policy regimes) is the intermediate public good necessary to generate the desired regional public goods:...

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his host Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed during the celebration of the historic defeat of colonial forces byEmperor Menelik II in 1896 near the town of Adwa. /PSCU President Uhuru Kenyatta has asked African leaders to prioritise and fast-track integration processes for the continent to achieve faster development. He said the current crop of leaders need to follow the legacies of the founding fathers of African countries by uniting people. Uhuru spoke last evening at the Presidential Palace in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during a state dinner hosted in his honour by Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed and President Sahle-Work Zewde. President Uhuru called for the removal of all systemic barriers that hinder the blossoming of people-to-people relations in Africa. "We need to build on the warm relations that exist between our governments to include our populations so as to foster people-to-people interactions," the Head of State said. Uhuru also said for Africa to defeat ignorance, disease and poverty, Africans must work together as good neighbours and loving brothers. "Our people should be let to travel throughout their continent freely without any hindrances. We are all brothers and sisters with a common heritage as Africans," he said. The President commended the Ethiopian leadership for the progress being experienced in the country. He said Kenya is keen on participating in the planned regeneration of Addis Ababa into a modern African city. Uhuru said it doesn't make economic sense for Africans to keep spending resources needed to develop the...

On the eve of its ratification in Ethiopia, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) has moved closer to its implementation phase with expert’s discussion held in Gabon to review the guidelines for preparing implementations. The AfCFTA, which was adopted by the African Union in Kigali, saw more than 50 member states signing the Kigali Declaration and the Free Movement Protocol exactly a year ago. Now, the number of countries that ratified the CFTA has reached 19, leaving the AU only with 3 countries to launch it. The discussion in Gabon reviews current production and trade within a national and regional context, the identification and prioritization of opportunities for value chain development; a thorough analysis of constraints, including no tariff barriers and competitiveness issues faced by businesses and means to address them and the like. The development of the plans is supported by the African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, UNCTAD and the European Union. According to African Union’s report on the possibilities the CFTA carries, it says that, “The AfCFTA will bring together all 55 member states of the African Union covering a market of more than 1.2 billion people, including a growing middle class, and a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of more than USD 3.4 trillion. In terms of numbers of participating countries, the AfCFTA will be the world’s largest free trade area since the formation of the World Trade Organization.” According to the UNECA, the CFTA is said to...

The Extraordinary Summit on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTFA) that took place in Kigali, Rwanda last year brought together African leaders during which the agreement for establishing the free trade area was presented for signatures. The agreement was signed by 44 of the 55 African Union (AU) member states adding another 5 during the AU summit in Mauritania in June bringing the total number of committed countries to 49 by the end of July 2018. The Continental Free Trade Area (CTFA), will unleash Africa’s potential assembling a population of 1.2 billion people, with a GDP of $3.4 trillion as the world’s largest free trade area since the inception of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). To leverage on the CFTA cross border opportunities, Africa will require strategic infrastructure; both physical and financial. Physical infrastructure includes transportation networks such as rail, road and power that underpin the economic growth potential and financial infrastructure comprising of institutions that will enable effective operations and empower Africa to unlock and tap into the opportunities underlined by the agreement. Tanzania is known as the trade gateway for the neighbouring land locked countries through the port in Dar es Salaam. According to the Ministry of Trade, the port handles 60% of Rwanda’s exports and imports. Zambia, Malawi, Uganda, Burundi and the Eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) all depend on the port of Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has commenced review of its policies to spur cross border trade in anticipation of the CFTA. In a statement issued by the...

The disagreements between Ugandan and Rwanda governments are inconsequential to the solid relationship between the two countries, government officials say. On Wednesday this week, Rwandan border authorities blocked Ugandan cargo trucks that were heading to Rwanda from Uganda at Gatuna border. By Thursday, hundreds of traders were stuck at the border as the government of Rwanda released a statement issued by the Rwanda Revenue Authority that the move was to allow the upgrading of the One Stop Border Post at Gatuna. The switch was allegedly meant to give the contractor ample time and space to accomplish the work on time.  The Uganda Revenue Authority also advised that all trucks going to Rwanda should go through Mirama hills-Kagitumba Border. However, Ofwono Opondo the Government Spokesperson poked holes into the detail by Rwandan authorities saying that the government had also learnt that Rwanda was preventing some of her people from crossing into Uganda for education and health services. According to OO, if the closure of the border post was to allow construction works, they wouldn't have prevented people from coming to Uganda But, Henry Oryem Okello the State Minister for Foreign Affairs says that Uganda has a long, special and unique history with Rwanda, adding that all will return to normal at some point. Also on Thursday, Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda told Parliament that the events between the borders of Uganda and Rwanda are sad, but Government was working to resolve the crisis. Source: Howwe

Uganda government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo says there what he terms a slight problem with all the three borders with Rwanda. Various reports emerged Thursday claiming that cargo trucks from Uganda had been blocked from crossing into Rwanda at Katuna border. Opondo told journalists in Kampala, there is also a problem at Cyanika and Kagitumba as there is a tension between both countries yet they don’t know why it is escalating high. “There is a slight problem at all the three border points between Uganda and Rwanda.” Opondo said “I don’t know about the tensions being high, but what I know yesterday (Wednesday) at around 6pm, the authorities from Rwanda refused vehicles both private and public from entering Uganda. Uganda provides the everyday necessities of life. They even prevented their own people from coming to buy the daily necessities, he added “If it was construction of the road “they wouldn’t have prevented their people from coming into the country. Our Minister of foreign affairs is in touch with the authorities of Rwanda,” Mr Opondo further noted that by Thursday morning, Rwandan authorities had blocked even school children from crossing into Uganda for studies. “If there’s any other reason beyond the construction works they have given, the honorable Sam Kutesa is in engagement and we hope that this matter will be resolved quickly,” Opondo told The Dailymonitor Recently, Rwanda Revenue Authority  in a letter addressed to the Commissioner for Customs at Uganda Revenue Authority on Wednesday, said heavy trucks would be diverted...

A War of words has ensued between Ugandan and Rwandan authorities following the closure of Katuna-Gatuma border by Rwanda Revenue Authority. On Wednesday, February 28, the taxman issued an order barring cargo tracks from Uganda entering Rwanda to pave the way for upgrade of the one-stop border post. The heavy vehicles were temporarily diverted to other border crossings, Kagitumba. “Rwanda Revenue Authority would like to inform you that with effect from 28th February 2019, all heavy trucks carrying goods destined and those transiting via Gatuna shall be temporarily diverted from Using Gatuna Boarder Post to Kagitimba/Mirama Hills border posts,said Ms. Rosine Uwamariya, the Commissioner for customs. The announcement did not go well with Ugandans. Ugandan government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo reported that their vehicles have been denied entry to Rwanda, a claim that has been rubbished by Rwandan Foreign Affairs Minister Richard Sezibera, “Those who have gone through Kagitumba have crossed,” said Mr. Sezibera. Thereafter, Ugandan government summoned Rwandan envoy to the east African country to give clarification on the standoff at the border. Uganda’s High Commissioner to Rwanda Ms. Olive Woneka was also directed to get an explanation from Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kigali. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has invited Mr. Mugambage (the Ambassador) today to brief Uganda on temporary closure. We are seeking explanation,” reiterated Mr. Opondo. Beyond the cargo trucks issue, Rwandan nationals were reportedly stopped from crossing into Uganda as passenger Service Vehicles were checked. There are claims that Rwandese are being detained and...

Uganda’s Foreign Affairs minister, Sam Kutesa is in touch with Rwandan authorities to resolve any border issues, government has said. “I don't know about the tensions being high, but what I know yesterday (Wednesday) at around 6pm, the authorities from Rwanda refused vehicles both private and public from entering Uganda. Uganda provides the everyday necessities of life. They even prevented their own people from coming to buy the daily necessities," Uganda government spokesperson Mr Ofwono Opondo said on Thursday after reports emerged that cargo trucks from Uganda had been blocked from crossing into Rwanda at Katuna, also known as Gatuna, to pave the way for the upgrade of the one-stop border post, the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) has said. However, Mr Opondo told journalists in Kampala that there's a “slight problem” at all the three border points between Uganda and Rwanda. “If it was construction of the road “they wouldn't have prevented their people from coming into the country. Our Minister of foreign affairs is in touch with the authorities of Rwanda,” he said. Mr Opondo further noted that by Thursday morning, Rwandan authorities had blocked even school children from crossing into Uganda for studies. “If there's any other reason beyond the construction works they have given, the honorable Sam Kutesa is in engagement and we hope that this matter will be resolved quickly,” he said. RRA in a letter addressed to the Commissioner for Customs at Uganda Revenue Authority on Wednesday, said heavy trucks would be diverted to other...

Cargo trucks from Uganda have been blocked from crossing into Rwanda at Katuna, also known as Gatuna, to pave the way for the upgrade of the one-stop border post, the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) has said. The taxman, in a letter addressed to the Commissioner for Customs at Uganda Revenue Authority on Wednesday, said heavy trucks would be diverted to other border crossings. "We are considering reducing the traffic of heavy trucks to allow completion of the OSBP infrastructure," read the letter signed by Ms Rosine Uwamariya, the Commissioner for Customs at RRA. "In view of the above, Rwanda Revenue Authority would like to inform you that with effect from February 28, 2019, all heavy trucks carrying goods destined and those transiting via Gatuna shall be temporarily diverted from using Gatuna Border Post to Kagitumba/Mirama Hills border posts," she added. However, the announcement followed complaints on social media of stranded citizens and truck drivers. "Why are our goods being stopped from entering Rwanda? Our friendship still stands," Mr Aaron Ainomugisha posted on Twitter. For ordinary citizens, the deteriorating diplomatic relations between Rwanda and Uganda,that has largely remained at the top, seemed to have moved to the grassroots, interrupting their lives. Both Kampala and Kigali accuse each other of espionage. "But this madness between Rwanda and Uganda must stop. My family from the other side has been blocked from coming to Uganda for our sister's marriage ceremonies!" tweeted Agather Atuhaire, before posing: "How can both be oblivious and ignore the fact...