TAKEAWAYS

• Museveni questioned why Africans living near border towns are required to obtain visas for simple daily trade.
• He cited the Uganda-DRC border areas of Busunga, Kamango and Bunagana as examples of unnecessary restrictions.
• The President said Africa has “suffered so much” because of barriers that limit movement between neighboring countries.

President Yoweri Museveni has expressed frustration over the continued requirement of visas for Africans travelling across different borders within the continent, describing the restrictions as unnecessary and illogical for ordinary people.

Speaking while reflecting on cross-border movement between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Museveni said many Africans living in border communities are being unfairly blocked from carrying out simple daily activities such as shopping and small-scale trade.

“The governments of Africa should stop playing around with our people’s lives,” Museveni said.

The President recalled visiting Busunga border post between Bundibugyo District in Uganda and Kamango in eastern DR Congo, where he found several young Congolese stranded because of visa requirements.

“One day I went to Busunga border post between Bundibugyo and Kamango. I found a lot of young people from Congo just being blocked at the border there,” he said.

Museveni questioned why residents living in neighboring border towns should need visas merely to cross and buy goods before returning home.

“How can I get a visa for going to shop? What sort of visa is that?” he asked.

He added that visas should mainly apply to tourists and long-distance international travelers rather than ordinary Africans crossing nearby towns for survival and business.

“But if I am at the border point like Bunagana, how can I have a visa to go across the town, buy something on the Uganda side and come back?” Museveni wondered.

For many years, Africans have expressed similar frustrations over strict movement requirements within the continent, especially at border communities where trade and social interaction happen daily. Many have argued that Africans are often subjected to tougher movement restrictions within Africa, while some visitors from outside the continent can access several African countries more easily.

Museveni welcomed recent regional agreements aimed at easing movement, saying they are a step in the right direction.

“You can see really Africa has suffered so much,” he said. “I’m glad we are beginning to solve these problems.”