The government of Uganda has ordered a closure of its southern border closing with the Republic of Tanzania at Kikagati border post in a bid to fight “mafias” involved smuggling.
Tax body Uganda Revenue Authority – URA said the closure of Kikagati border followed a reported increase in cases of smuggling.
Kikagati is a very popular post, in Isingiro district, southwestern Uganda.
“We have taken the decision to close the border with Tanzania at Kikagati, the country loses billions of Shillings from unpaid taxes through such porous borders”, said URA customs manager Sylvester Kiwanuka calling it a “hard” but “unavoidable” measure.
Kiwanuka further highlighted that Kikagati is not fully gazetted and does not have active revenue and immigration units.
Kiwanuka adds that the decision has been taken in consultation with security organs and the immigration department. Without giving specific time, Kiwanuka says that the post will be reopened after the establishment of a fully-fledged customs office.
It will be reopened after the establishment of a fully-fledged customs office.
