The opening of the new Kizinga-Rwempasha border post at Kizinga in Ntungamo district is not only set to facilitate the free and legal movement of people but also promote business growth between the two countries. To the real estate sector this is good news aware that interstate and cross border free movement is a strong trajectory in its growth.
As businesses grow across this border, the real estate sector is likely to witness as sharp demand for housing and accommodation but also the hospitality sector, hotels and accommodation across the region.
The New Kizinga –Rwempasha border post is located in Ntungamo district and Nyagatare district on the Rwandan side. It is 18 km from Rwentobo town off Mbarara-Kabale road.
This is the fourth border post between the two countries after Katuna/Gatuna in Kabale district, Kyanika/Cyanika in Kisoro district Mirama hills/Kagitumba in Ntungamo district.
What does this mean? Areas like Mbarara City, Isingiro, Kiruhura and Ntungamo that provide a gateway to these border posts remain attractive to the real estate sector. Growth in businesses and interstate arrivals will boost the real estate investors in that there will be a colossal demand for accommodation, housing, hospitality, commercial, warehousing and recreational facilities.
Prior to the opening of this new border posts officials from ministries of internal affairs and immigration of both countries Rwanda and Uganda had an engagement at Las Vegas Garden Hotel in Mbarara City
The Ugandan government was represented by permanent secretary at the ministry of Internal Affairs, Lt Gen Joseph Musanyufu and the Rwandan government by the Director General of Immigration and Emigration for the Republic of Rwanda, Ms Lynda Nkuranga.
“It’s our conviction that free movement of persons promotes growth of economies. We are going to open up more border posts to enable our people to move freely but legally between the two countries but also facilitate strong bilateral engagements,” he said.
The Director General of Immigration and Emigration for the Republic of Rwanda, Ms Lynda Nkuranga said the distance to the border posts has been partly the reason why there are illegal crossings between the countries
“The opening of many border posts will stop illegal crossings because of the long distances to these border posts, the many border posts will help our people to cross easily and conveniently but will also reduce criminality and illegal activities across borders,” she said.
Ms Nkuranga said the two countries are now moving to sensitize the locals on using legal borders and putting necessary infrastructure to see these borders work without any hindrances.
Ntungamo district woman MP Ms Bata Kamateneti said the long distances to access legally recognized borders had hindered development across the two countries.
“The opening of this border post will improve service delivery through infrastructure development like cross border hospitals and improved road network but also busineses.
Rushenyi County MP Ms Noame Kabasharira said the failure to have a legally recognized border had deprived not only locals but both countries of economic growth.
“The opening of this border sends signal that cross border movement is vital and important for the development of both countries and its people
We appeal now that the border is open both government work on improving infrastructure like road networks to ensure businesses are done without any major hindrances,” she noted.
Mr Justus Bataringaya, Ngoma Sub County district councilor noted that whereas business opportunities have been available, they were languishing in poverty over lack of gazette crossing points.
“There are a host of business opportunities here especially in agriculture but you could never risk crossing, those who attempt are arrested and prosecuted. We are very happy that this border post will transform our communities,” he explained.
Mr John Kinamura, the LCI Chairperson Kizinga 1 cell said people of Rwanda and Uganda are one, others share family bonds but you could hardly cross to visit a relative.
“We have intermarriages, some of our people here share family bonds but you could hardly cross to check on a relative just less than two kilometers across the border,” he revealed.
He added “The Rwentobo-Kizinga road has been impassable for long but now it has been worked on .We can now easily transport our goods not only across borders but also accessing internal markets,”
Ms Allen Asasira appealed for authorities from both countries to open markets across these borders to facilitate the local people to do business.
“Some of us who do small businesses and don’t have enough capital can utilise the cross border markets not far from the border to do businesses,” she appealed.
The opening of the border was witnessed by a Uganda team led by the director generals of Citizenship and immigration of both countries, Maj Gen Apollo Gowa Kasita for Uganda and Ms Lynda Nkuranga for Rwanda.