Cross Border Business Booms at Elegu Despite Transport Ban

Joseph Nyeko, a cross border fuel dealer in Elegu explains that business is continuing normally without any interference as long as one puts on a face mask, sanitizes hands and observes social distancing rules.

The countries continue to rely heavily on borrowing although some, like Uganda, intend to reduce how much they borrowed this year. In total, the countries plan to borrow more than USD 18 billion, to fund the turnaround of the economies battered by COVID-19, as well as ongoing and new infrastructure projects, among other areas.

The EACOP project players that include Total East Africa, Petroleum Authority of Uganda-PAU, New Plan among other contractors are currently engaging communities affected by the pipeline route, on its progress as well as simplifying the Resettlement Action Plan recently approved by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development.

Dr Peter Mutuku Mathuki takes over a secretariat that is facing challenges ranging from financial shortages as many countries were not up-to-date in their remittances. “Even where countries had issues with either one another or with the secretariat, Richard Sezibera would personally reach out to them and encourage them to pay,” said EALA member, Fred Mukasa Mbidde, of the former SG.

Robert Onekalit, the In-charge of the facility says the eight-member team is facing an uphill task serving a population of 3,000 to 5,000 people especially long distance cargo drivers and travers every day.

Many of the Project Affected Persons-PAPs in the districts of Lwengo, Kyotera, Rakai and Gomba have repeatedly demanded a second evaluation exercise before the actual construction works begin. They argue that their properties have gained value since 2018 when the first assessments were conducted.

Eng.Mohamed Kaggwa Maseko, a Ugandan who is a permanent resident in South Africa says that it has been a hustle having to stop over in Nairobi or Addis Ababa for long hours, moreover worsened by the increase of (health) procedures at every airport in transit which is already hectic.