Congolese Citizens Return Home Amidst Cross-Border Challenges in Kasese

Congolese nationals stranded at the Uganda–DR Congo border in Mpondwe, Kasese District, have been allowed to return to their home country, while Ugandans who had been blocked from crossing into Uganda have also been permitted to re-enter following a temporary easing of border restrictions linked to the Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC.

The reopening follows a request by Kasese Resident District Commissioner Lt. Joe Walusimbi, who appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to allow controlled movement to ease the humanitarian situation at the border. Walusimbi has, however, cautioned Ugandan traders engaging in cross-border business to avoid direct movement into Congo, advising them to instead use authorized agents as part of ongoing public health safety measures.

Despite the reopening, several traders say they have already suffered heavy losses due to the prolonged border closure. Transporter Adra Arafat Nuru said perishable goods, including “gonja,” were destroyed after days of being stranded at the border, and called on the government to support affected small-scale traders.

Agnes Biira, who also trades in gonja, said the disruption had severely affected her income and investments, including Parish Development Model (PDM) funds she had used to support her business. She said she lost more than Shs 2 million after spending over a week stranded at the border.

Sulaiman Machozi, chairperson of traders, confirmed that many business operators have suffered significant losses due to the closure. He noted that several traders had been using funds obtained under the Parish Development Model (PDM) to finance cross-border trade in commodities such as tomatoes, gonja, and fish, making the disruption even more costly.

Authorities say the temporary reopening is meant to facilitate safe return and controlled movement while monitoring the Ebola situation in the region, with strict health measures expected to remain in place at the border.