Heavy trucks awaiting clearance to cross into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been relocated from the Mpondwe border area to the former Isango cattle holding ground in a move aimed at reducing congestion and road accidents along the Bwera-Mpondwe road.
The relocation by Lhubiriha Town Council follows growing concerns over trucks parked along the roadside while waiting for clearance, creating traffic congestion and increasing the risk of accidents involving motorists and pedestrians. Moses Mugisa, the Town Clerk of Mpondwe-Lhubiriha, said the directive is part of broader efforts to decongest the border area and improve safety for travellers and residents. He acknowledged that the relocation could affect revenue collection by the town council, but said authorities plan to engage Isango leadership on possible revenue-sharing arrangements.
The decision has been welcomed by local leaders and residents in Isango Sub-county, who have for years raised concerns over accidents along the Uganda-DRC road attributed to the heavy concentration of trucks. Romathan Kafupi, a resident, said congestion has contributed to frequent accidents in the area and expressed hope that the relocation would improve the movement of both vehicles and pedestrians.
Truck drivers have also welcomed the move. David Muzhuga, who transports goods from Kenya to the DRC, said moving the trucks to a designated holding area would help ease logistical challenges and improve traffic flow. However, the relocation has raised concerns among the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and clearing agents over the increased distance between the new holding area and URA offices.
They fear that the additional distance could delay the clearance of goods and potentially slow down cross-border trade. In response, district officials have convened an urgent meeting with border agents and other stakeholders to identify solutions that can maintain efficient clearance procedures while addressing the safety concerns caused by roadside truck parking. Eliphazi Muhindi said the strategic relocation represents a significant step towards creating safer and more efficient operations at the Mpondwe border-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
