NBI Connectivity at Katuna one stop border post (Uganda-Rwanda) - URA & DCIC
The Katuna One-Stop Border Post (OSBP), located in Kabale District, Uganda, serves as a critical trade and travel hub connecting Uganda and Rwanda. As part of the National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U) initiatives, the National Data Transmission Backbone Infrastructure and e-Government Infrastructure (NBI/EGI) Project has extended high-speed connectivity to Katuna, enhancing the operational efficiency of key agencies, including the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC).
NBI Connectivity at Katuna
The NBI/EGI Project, implemented by NITA-U, aims to provide robust ICT infrastructure to government institutions across Uganda. Phase III of the project extended optical fiber cable connectivity to Katuna, linking it to the Kampala-Katuna route. This connectivity supports regional integration and enhances service delivery at the border post by enabling real-time data exchange and seamless digital operations.
Completion: The extension to Katuna was completed as part of Phase III, alongside connections to Masaka, Mutukula, Mbarara, and Kabale.
Purpose: To facilitate efficient border management, trade, and immigration services through reliable ICT infrastructure.
Impact: The NBI connectivity has improved the speed and accuracy of customs and immigration processes, reducing clearance times and enhancing cross-border trade.
Role of URA at Katuna OSBP
The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) is the lead agency at Katuna OSBP, overseeing customs operations to facilitate trade while ensuring compliance with tax and regulatory requirements. With NBI connectivity, URA benefits from:
Electronic Customs Clearance: The OSBP's digital infrastructure supports the submission and verification of customs documents, reducing paperwork and delays. Traders receive a reference number and an OSBP stamp through URA’s systems, streamlining the process.
Real-Time Data Sharing: Connectivity enables URA to coordinate with the Rwanda Revenue Authority, ensuring seamless cargo clearance under the one-stop model.
Decongestion Efforts: By leveraging NBI connectivity, URA encourages the use of alternative routes like Kagitumba-Mirama Hills OSBP to reduce congestion at Katuna.
Since the operationalization of the OSBP, Katuna has handled increased cargo volumes, with daily traveler numbers rising from approximately 1,000 to 1,500, partly due to efficient digital systems supported by NBI connectivity.
Role of DCIC at Katuna OSBP
The Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC) manages immigration services at Katuna, ensuring the legal and orderly movement of people. NBI connectivity has transformed DCIC’s operations by:
Enhancing e-Immigration Systems: The e-Immigration Border Management System, deployed at Katuna, supports real-time visa processing, passport verification, and biometric capture. Travelers benefit from a single clearance process, with Ugandan and Rwandan immigration officers working under one roof.
Reducing Clearance Times: The digital infrastructure has eliminated the need for travelers to clear separately on both sides of the border, saving time and reducing long queues.
Supporting Regional Mobility: DCIC processes Temporary Movement Permits (TMPs) and East African Tourist Visas, facilitated by online applications and NBI connectivity, promoting tourism and regional integration.
Benefits of NBI Connectivity at Katuna
Improved Efficiency: Digital systems reduce processing times for customs and immigration, enhancing the traveler and trader experience.
Regional Integration: Connectivity supports the East African Community’s (EAC) goals of free movement of goods and people, strengthening Uganda-Rwanda relations.
Economic Growth: Faster clearance processes boost cross-border trade, benefiting businesses and local economies in Katuna and surrounding areas.
Enhanced Security: Real-time data sharing and biometric systems improve border security and reduce illegal activities.
Challenges and Future Plans
While NBI connectivity has significantly improved operations, challenges remain, including:
Infrastructure Gaps: Reports indicate issues like inadequate lighting and missing barrier gates at Katuna OSBP, which could be addressed to complement digital upgrades.
Funding Needs: Expanding connectivity to additional porous border points requires sustained investment, as highlighted by DCIC’s plans to elevate several entry points to official immigration offices.
NITA-U is addressing these through ongoing initiatives, such as the Last Mile Connectivity Project, which aims to extend NBI coverage to over 1,300 government sites across 52 districts. Future enhancements at Katuna may include full automation of border processes and integration with e-Gates, similar to those at Entebbe International Airport.
The NBI connectivity at Katuna OSBP has revolutionized customs and immigration services, making it a model for efficient border management in the East African region. By empowering URA and DCIC with robust ICT infrastructure, NITA-U has enhanced trade, mobility, and security, contributing to Uganda’s economic and regional integration goals. For more information on NITA-U’s projects, visit: https://www.nita.go.ug/