The Buhuka–Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border entry point at Nsonga Landing Site in Kikuube District has been closed indefinitely due to security concerns linked to Uganda’s Kingfisher Oil Development Area (KFDA). This move has sparked protests from local leaders and residents who fear the loss of trade and revenue.
The closure affects the border crossing in Buhuka Parish, Kyangwali Sub-county, home to the Kingfisher oil project operated by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC). The project is expected to produce up to 40,000 barrels of oil per day and includes strategic infrastructure such as the Central Processing Facility, well pads, a lake water abstraction system, a 46-kilometre feeder pipeline, a jetty and access roads.
Security officials say unrestricted movement across the border poses a threat to these critical national installations. Kikuube Resident District Commissioner Godwin Angalia said the decision was reached during a high-level security meeting chaired by Maj. Gen. Moses Rwakitarate, the Coordinator of National Vital Assets and Strategic Installations.
According to Angalia, security agencies have observed people crossing into Uganda through the Nsonga border entry, particularly at night, raising concerns about the safety of the country’s oil and gas infrastructure. He said the meeting also resolved to relocate the border entry and immigration offices from Nsonga Landing Site to Sebigoro Landing Site in Kabwoya Sub-county because of increasing settlement and permanent structures around the oil installations.
The decision has, however, drawn criticism from local leaders, who argue that there is no evidence of insecurity to justify shutting down the border crossing. Buhuka Parish LCII Chairperson Reginal Ngamita said the area already has a heavy security presence guarding the oil facilities and questioned the rationale behind the closure.
Kyangwali Sub-county LCIII Chairperson Emmanuel Bisemeza said Nsonga is the sub-county’s largest local revenue source and warned that closing it would hurt businesses and deny residents their livelihoods. “Nsonga Landing Site entry point is our biggest source of revenue. When it is closed, the sub-county will be losing a lot of revenue. We appeal to the government and security to rescind the decision,” Bisemeza said.
Nsonga Landing Site LC I Chairperson Dismas Babihemaiso said the border has operated for more than 50 years without major security incidents and faulted security agencies for deciding without consulting local leaders. Residents also dismissed claims of insecurity. Wilbert Wathum, who has lived in the area for over 40 years, said he has never witnessed any security threat from either Uganda or the DRC, while Grace Kyalisiima accused security agencies of using the Kingfisher oil project as a justification for restricting cross-border movement.
The Kingfisher Oil Development Area is one of Uganda’s flagship petroleum projects. The Final Investment Decision was announced in February 2022 alongside the Tilenga project and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), with drilling officially launched by President Yoweri Museveni in January 2023-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
