Since February 27 last year, the Katuna border has remained closed, as Rwanda put a stop on the movement of goods from Uganda and also restricted the movement of its citizens to Uganda.
In August last year, Kagame and Museveni signed a memorandum of Understanding in Luanda, Angola and opened up talks to find a common ground on this impasse.
If road repairs at the border are any sign, the scheduled meeting between President Yoweri Museveni and Rwanda President Paul Kagame looks set to go ahead as planned February 21.
The meeting that will be held on Friday is part of the resolutions of the quadripartite summit held in Luanda, Angola. The summit was mediated by João Lourenço, the President of Angola and Felix Tshisekedi, the President of Democratic Republic of Congo.
During the summit, it was agreed that the two countries release prisoners being held in their country, but also refrain from interference, protection of Human rights of national citizens by both Uganda and Rwanda and continuation of the activities of the Ad-Hoc commission, as a mechanism for monitoring the implementation of the process.
That meeting was followed up with another meeting last week in Kigali, at which the two parties renewed commitment to resolving pending issues.
At the ‘No Man’s land’ at Katuna Border where the Museveni-Kagame meeting is set to take place this week, the road is being rehabilitated by Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA).
This was going on as armed Rwandan security operatives were on standby at their side of the border keenly watching.
UNRA workers were also seen opening some of the clogged drainage along Katuna-Kabale road.
Security personnel led by Darius Nandiinda, Kabale Resident District Commissioner were also cited at the border to search for a suitable space where the President could address the residents.
Some of the residents at the border say they are excited about the meeting.
Franco Korinako, Chairperson for Katuna Border Traders Association says that they are eagerly waiting for the meeting between the two Presidents especially.
He says that the Korinako says that the border closure has left them in total poverty. Korinako says that in case they get a chance to give their views they will request the two presidents to compensate traders for the loss of their businesses.
Emmanuel Wimana, a resident of Byumba in Gigumbi district Rwanda says that the meeting is highly welcome and the moment they resolve to reopen the border it will be a great day for the business community.
Wimana says that he feared to cross back after receiving information that his life could be in danger since most of the people of his category are now treated like rebels yet it is not the case.
