Trade Minister Mbadi Vows Major Reforms at Mpondwe Border After Traders Raise Alarm.
Long delays, corruption and outdated infrastructure have crippled the Uganda–DRC trade gateway. Government says a “permanent fix” is coming.
Mpondwe, Uganda
Trade Minister Mbadi has promised sweeping reforms at the Mpondwe border post following months of complaints from traders, truck drivers and exporters that the strategic gateway to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has become “nearly unworkable.”
During a recent field visit , Mbadi acknowledged that Mpondwe — which handles thousands of tonnes of goods monthly — has been plagued by long queues, inconsistent customs procedures, and informal charges imposed by lower-level authorities.
“The President has directed that Mpondwe must function efficiently,” Mbadi told journalists.
“We will remove the bottlenecks, upgrade infrastructure and ensure predictable, corruption-free operations.”
Traders say the problems are longstanding.
“It takes 24 hours to cross a border that should take two,” said John Musoke, a trader who exports manufactured goods into DRC. “Drivers sleep in their trucks while paying unofficial fees. We are losing millions.”
Among the reforms announced:
Expansion and modernization of the Mpondwe One-Stop Border Post
Installation of automated cargo-tracking systems
Tighter oversight of revenue officials
A new joint Uganda–DRC customs coordination office
Possible move to 24/7 border operations
Mbadi said implementation will begin immediately, with budget allocations expected in the next quarter.
Business groups welcomed the announcements but warned that promises have been made before without results.
“Government has said this many times. We want contractors on site — not press conferences,” said Grace Nandutu, chair of the Mpondwe Cross-Border Traders Association.
Analysts say improvements at Mpondwe are critical not just for trade but also for regional security.
“DRC is Uganda’s fastest-growing export market,” noted economist Dr. Isaac Mufumba. “Fixing Mpondwe could unlock enormous growth — but corruption and bureaucracy remain deeply embedded.”
Why it Matters
DRC is now Uganda’s No. 1 destination for re-exports
Border inefficiencies raise prices for both countries
Corruption at border posts undermines national revenue
Smooth trade is essential for post-conflict stability in eastern DRC
What to Watch
Whether 24-hour operations actually roll out
Visible infrastructure upgrades by Q3
Enforcement against informal fee collectors
Timeline for the Uganda–DRC joint customs office
Reaction from traders in Kasese and Bunyangabu districts
