Africa-Press – Uganda. The Minister of State for Trade, Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, has called for enhanced trade relations between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), vowing to address lingering barriers that continue to hamper the smooth movement of goods and people across the border.
Gen. Mbadi made the remarks during his recent inspections of the Mpondwe and Ntoroko border posts, key trade gateways linking Uganda and the DRC.
Both border points were upgraded to One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) in 2022 to streamline cross-border trade; however, traders continue to face significant challenges in conducting business.
During the visit, officials from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) informed the minister that the DRC has not fully cooperated in implementing the East African Community (EAC) Common Market Protocol.
Ugandan traders, for instance, are still required to pay $50 in visa fees to enter the DRC, despite Uganda having abolished visa fees for DRC citizens.
At the Ntoroko border, the minister also noted the absence of DRC representatives at joint border committee meetings, which were set up to coordinate border operations and resolve trade-related bottlenecks.
“Despite the upgrades, there are still hurdles that slow down trade and affect our traders,” Gen. Mbadi said. “We will engage our counterparts in the DRC to ensure that these One-Stop Border Posts operate fully and that trade flows freely for the benefit of both countries.”
The minister’s visit is part of ongoing efforts by the Ugandan government to strengthen regional trade and ensure that border infrastructure investments translate into tangible benefits for traders and local communities.
As Uganda continues to expand its trade agenda with neighbouring countries, resolving the issues at Mpondwe and Ntoroko remains a priority for the government to boost economic integration and regional cooperation.
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