The Mpondwe-Customs market and the one stop Border Post in Mpondwe Lhubiriha Town Council; Kasese district has been handed over to government after completion.
The over 5 billion shillings facilities were funded by the World Bank through the Great Lakes Trade Facilitation Project and has now been handed over to the Ministry of Trade and Cooperatives for management.
The construction work was undertaken by Ambitious construction Limited.
The facility is meant to enable cross-border trade by increasing the capacity for commerce and reducing the costs faced by traders, especially small-scale and women traders, at targeted locations in the borderlands.
Tom Kajumba, the construction Project manager assured the government of the quality of the works adding that the facility is still under the defects liability period of up to one year. Mr. Kajumba Speaking…
Geraldine Ssali Busuulwa, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives who was chief guest at the hand over explained that the ministry aims at having many business entry points across the borders so that the community is easily connected across the region.
The permanent Secretary also said she was going to make a report on the poor state of the road from Kikorongo to the boarder Customs. She has also tasked the National Bureau of Standards to be strict to avoid entry of substandard products on the Uganda’s market.
Ms Ssali Speaking…
Mr. Selevest Masereka Mapozi, the LC3 Chairperson for Mpondwe Lhubiriha Town Council says the border market is now a game changer for the town council that has been struggling with local revenue collections. He appreciates the work done on the market compared to what was on ground that wasn’t matching to standards.
Mr.Mapoze on Revenue…
The one stop boarder point at customs will accommodate Uganda Revenue Authority, National Bureau of Standards and immigration department among others, with a cold room for Agri-products. END.