By Alex Gahima
The Kisoro district LCV chairperson Abel Bizimana has called on the Governments of Uganda and Rwanda to consider removing all testing fees for Covid-19 at Cyanika Border.
The comments come one week after the border with Uganda and Rwanda at Cyanika was officially reopened after more than two years of being closed.
According to Bizimana, the testing fees of Covid 19 are restrictive and discouraging travelers from both Countries from enjoying the new found freedom.
“Most of the businesses in Kisoro are small scale and cannot afford to pay such fees each time they cross into Rwanda or Uganda, in essence, the border is still closed to many because of these fees”, Bizimana said
He further explained that Uganda and Rwanda are both under the East African Protocol which has helped access vaccines and other essential services to fight Covid-19 at no cost to the citizens.
“The Covid-19 vaccine is most important component of protecting citizens of both countries and we received them at literally no cost so why should they start charging money on RDT and PCR tests?” Bizimana wondered
Countries agree to Charge on Covid tests
At the reopening of the border, Authorities of both countries agreed that all travelers from who wish to visit the neighboring districts of Ruhengeri and Musanze in Rwanda will have to carry out a Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT).
The RDT test in Uganda is free of charge while on the Rwandan side, the test is done at a fee of 5000 Francs (20,000 Ugandan shillings)
The authorities also agreed that all travelers seeking to travel further into Rwanda, including the capital Kigali will have to do a PCR test.
The PCR test in Kisoro district is being handled by a private clinic, Maia Medical Laboratories in Bunagana which is charging 88,000 Ugandan shillings ($25)
Maia Medical Consultant Paul Kimera says since the reopening of the border at Cyanika, the number of people accessing the service is still very low.
According to Kimera, some travelers especially tourists are complying with the directive however truck drivers have completely refused to follow the requirement of doing PCR test.
Kimera says Congolese using the Bunagana border are the ones mostly getting PCR tests.
The Business community are Cyanika is still struggling to pick itself after several business owners say the fees on testing for Covid 19 are a major hindrance to do business.
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