By Sophan Niwamanya
apearlnews.com
Since the Gatuna border was partially reopened, the Uganda Revenue Authority has collected 280 million Shillings.
The Katuna border was partially reopened on January 20th after close to three years of closure, and since then, the business had come to a standstill. Since the border closure, the tension has crippled business at the Katuna border as well as revenue collection for the town council.
The reduction in revenue collection led the town council to fail to implement some of its programs.
After one month of partial opening, revenue at the Katuna border has increased to 280 million, according to official figures.
Erick On Sunday the Katuna town council town clerk said that before the border closure, they would collect about 300 million shillings in three months through loading and unloading, parking, and a daily market.
Sunday said they hope business and revenue will boost again since trucks have started coming in big numbers for the betterment of Katuna town council services.
Speaking with our reporter yesterday during the official border reopening, Peter Gikwiyakare, Uganda Revenue Authority Customs Manager in charge of the south-western region, said that so far since the border was partially opened, over 280 million shillings in revenue has been collected, which is attributed to the movement of trucks.
Gikwiyakare revealed that before the border closure, they would approximately collect 400 million shillings every month. He says over 80 trucks cross the Katuna-Gatuna border on a daily basis.
He emphasizes the need for Ugandan traders to consistently work hand in hand with the Rwandan government and put into consideration rules and regulations to ensure that business moves smoothly.
He hopes business will move steadily and gain momentum since the border was fully opened yesterday by buses crossing to Gatuna.
