“Your Silence Cannot Take Us Anywhere”: Kisoro MPs Accused of Sleeping on Border Reopening

KIDORO UGANDA: A Kisoro District Local Council Five councillor has criticised Members of Parliament from Kisoro for what he describes as silence and inaction over the prolonged restrictions affecting cross-border trade between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Bishubeho Louis, the LCV councillor representing Kirundo, says many families in Kisoro depend on cross-border trade for their daily survival, but the continued restrictions have made it increasingly difficult for residents to earn a living.

In a statement shared on his official social media platforms on Thursday, Bishubeho said the situation has pushed many households deeper into poverty, hunger and uncertainty.

He argues that while vehicles continue to move through Kisoro towards Goma and other destinations, ordinary residents and traders remain unable to fully participate in the cross-border economic activities that have supported their families for generations.

Bishubeho is now challenging Kisoro’s Members of Parliament to take the matter to Parliament and engage the relevant government authorities over the continued restrictions.

He says the legislators should use their positions to speak on behalf of their constituents and demand practical solutions to the challenges affecting border communities.

According to Bishubeho, residents of Kisoro deserve the same economic opportunities enjoyed by other Ugandans and should not continue suffering because of restrictions affecting border activities.

He says the people of Kisoro are looking to their elected representatives for action, particularly at a time when businesses, traders and households that depend on cross-border commerce continue to struggle.

The criticism comes against the backdrop of a border crisis that has lasted for several years and has been driven by both insecurity in eastern DRC and public-health restrictions.

The situation at Bunagana became particularly difficult in 2022 after the M23 rebel group captured the Congolese side of the border, disrupting the movement of people and goods between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Bunagana is an official border crossing between Kisoro District in southwestern Uganda and Rutshuru Territory in North Kivu Province, eastern DRC.

The crossing has historically been an important route for trade and movement between communities on both sides of the border.The prolonged insecurity has severely affected businesses and livelihoods in Bunagana Town Council and surrounding areas.

By May 2026, the disruption of cross-border trade was reported to have cost Bunagana Town Council more than 150 million shillings in local revenue, highlighting the financial impact of the prolonged border crisis.

The situation was further complicated in 2026 by measures introduced following concerns over the spread of Ebola from eastern DRC.

In May, the Kisoro District security authorities announced restrictions on some cross-border activities following reports of Ebola cases in eastern DRC.

Deputy Resident District Commissioner for Kisoro, Dan Ndikumwami, announced the measures following a district security meeting, saying the restrictions were intended to strengthen surveillance and prevent the possible spread of the disease.

Among the measures was the suspension of cross-border movement for Congolese pupils studying in Uganda as day scholars until further notice.

Border-area markets, including Mupaka, were also subjected to closer monitoring to ensure compliance with health guidelines.

However, the Ebola outbreak in Uganda was officially declared over on August 27, 2026, after 42 consecutive days without a new confirmed case.

Despite the declaration, cross-border surveillance and preparedness have continued because of the health situation in neighbouring eastern DRC.

For Bishubeho, however, the continued difficulties faced by residents require Kisoro’s legislators to do more than remain silent.

He wants the MPs to raise the concerns of traders and border communities through Parliament, top government officials and seek clarification on the conditions required for the restoration of normal and lawful cross-border trade.

Bishubeho says residents should not be left in uncertainty over their economic future while the restrictions continue to affect their businesses and livelihoods.

He has therefore urged the MPs to speak with one voice and push the government to consider the unique economic circumstances of Kisoro as a border district.

The councillor says the people of Kisoro need action rather than silence, arguing that continued inaction will only deepen the economic difficulties already facing communities that have depended on cross-border trade for generations.

As the border crisis continues, attention is now turning to Kisoro’s elected leaders and whether they can use their positions to secure meaningful government intervention for traders, businesses and families affected by the prolonged disruption.

For residents whose livelihoods depend on the Uganda-DRC border, the reopening or easing of lawful cross-border trade remains a major economic concern.

Meanwhile, Kisoro District is represented in Uganda’s 12th Parliament by Hon. Roland Kanya Nkrumah (Bufumbira East), Hon. Eddie Kwizera (Bukimbiri County), Hon. Grace Ngabirano (Kisoro District Woman MP), Hon. Alex Niyonsaba Seruganda (Bufumbira South), Hon. Fortunate Gatare (Bufumbira North), and Hon. Sam Byibesho (Kisoro Municipality).

However, none of the legislators had responded to requests for comment on the matter at the time of publication.