No cause to panic over trade war with Uganda
Monday March 18 2019
The government has allayed concerns of consumer price increases following the travel restrictions on the borders with Uganda which disrupted supply of goods, causing shortage of foods and key households items.
Until Wednesday, consumers grappled with high prices of commodities imported from Uganda even as traders decried delayed orders meaning local markets were yet to get substitutes for foods which since stopped coming in.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry, however, said the situation was under control with orders being expedited at the borders to ensure there is no shortage of goods.
“We are working with Rwanda Revenue Authority to make sure that those orders are prioritised at the border,” Ms Soraya Hakuziyaremye told Rwanda Today.
Ms Hakuziyaremye argued that the rise in prices was as a result of speculators seeking to profit from the crisis, something the ministry had warned traders against.
She confirmed that there was no truck still stranded at the border with Uganda as all of them were let in.
Besides, traders with urgent orders were going through the ministry to be assisted with options, including seeking alternative markets with the help of Rwanda Development Board and diplomatic missions abroad.
“This is a situation we monitor so that there is no shortage of goods. We intend to do inspections to detect traders hoarding goods and to contain that speculation,” she said.