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Customs and borders

Mutukula (Tanzania) and Katuna (Rwanda) border posts

Last checked 24 October 2026 · 10 sources

Short answer

Mutukula is Uganda's main road crossing into Tanzania and Katuna, called Gatuna in Rwanda, is a main crossing into Rwanda. Both pairs are listed in the EAC One Stop Border Posts Act, 2016 1. Presidents Museveni and Magufuli launched the Mutukula one stop border post (OSBP) on 9 November 2017 2. Rwanda closed the Gatuna crossing in 2019 and reopened it on 31 January 2022 7. A URA article lists Katuna among Uganda's OSBPs 6.
Mutukula neighbour
Tanzania, post of the same name 1
Katuna neighbour
Rwanda, Gatuna post 1
Legal basis
EAC One Stop Border Posts Act, 2016, Schedule items 7 and 12 1
Mutukula OSBP launch
9 November 2017 2
Gatuna reopening
31 January 2022, announced by Rwanda's Ministry of Foreign Affairs 7
Tanzania side
Listed by TRA as a working OSBP 4

Mutukula and the Tanzania border

Mutukula sits on the Uganda and Tanzania border, with posts of the same name on each side. It is item 7 in the Schedule of the EAC One Stop Border Posts Act, 2016 1.

Business Daily reported on 7 November 2017 that the OSBP would bring immigration and customs officials of both countries to one crossing, so trucks no longer clear twice 3. The Independent reported that President Yoweri Museveni and President John Pombe Magufuli launched it on 9 November 2017 2.

The Tanzania Revenue Authority lists Mutukula among its current working OSBPs. TRA says all OSBP offices in Tanzania use the juxtaposed model 4. The Ministry of Works and Transport lists Mutukula as completed and operational 5.

Crossing times and revenue at Mutukula

The Independent gave these figures on 23 November 2017. Time to cross from Uganda to Tanzania fell from 10 hours in 2011 to about three and a half hours in June 2017. Time from Tanzania to Uganda fell from 46 hours to 4.5 hours 2.

It cited URA figures showing Mutukula revenue rose from Shs 70.3 billion in FY 2013/14 to Shs 147.7 billion in FY 2016/17. Fuel made up about 36.3 percent of that revenue 2.

In September 2026 the Ministry of Works and Transport told Parliament that incoming vehicles at the Malaba and Mutukula OSBPs are fitted with digital number plates in about three hours 10.

Katuna and Gatuna

Katuna on the Uganda side faces Gatuna in Rwanda. The pair is item 12 in the Schedule of the EAC Act 1. A Ministry of Works and Transport presentation listed Katuna OSBP as ongoing, with five other Uganda OSBPs completed 5. A later URA article lists Katuna among the OSBPs in service before Mpondwe 6.

Africanews, with AFP, reported that the main Gatuna and Katuna crossing was closed in 2019 amid tensions between the two countries 7. Rwanda's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on 27 January 2022 that the Gatuna post would reopen from 31 January 2022 7. The statement followed a visit to Rwanda on 22 January 2022 by Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba 7.

Mirama Hills, the other Rwanda OSBP

Mirama Hills faces Kagitumba in Rwanda and is item 11 in the Act's Schedule 1. East African Business Week reported on 20 July 2015 that the Mirama Hills OSBP was fully operational on a 24-hour basis 8.

The report said it cost US$7.8 million, financed by TradeMark Africa and the government. It houses customs, immigration, a goods inspection hall, a clearing agents block and a police post 8.

Audit ratings

The Auditor General's 2023 special value for money audit, reported on 28 June 2024, listed Katuna, Mutukula, Mirama Hills OSBP and Cyanika among consistently inefficient customs stations 9. URA said the audit "identified several areas of improvement" and listed measures against cross border fraud 9.

Ugandan postNeighbour postCountry2023 audit rating
Mutukula 1Mutukula 1Tanzania 1Consistently inefficient 9
Katuna 1Gatuna 1Rwanda 1Consistently inefficient 9
Mirama Hills 1Kagitumba 1Rwanda 1Consistently inefficient 9

Common questions

Is Mutukula a one stop border post?

Yes. It was launched on 9 November 2017, and TRA lists it as a working OSBP 2,4.

Is the Katuna Gatuna border open?

Rwanda reopened the Gatuna post from 31 January 2022 after a closure that began in 2019 7.

How long does it take to cross at Mutukula?

June 2017 figures put it at about three and a half hours from Uganda and 4.5 hours from Tanzania 2.

Is Mirama Hills open 24 hours?

It was reported fully operational on a 24-hour basis on 20 July 2015 8.

Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].

Sources

  1. East African Legislative Assembly: East African Community One Stop Border Posts Act, 2016 (Gazette of 15 April 2016)
  2. The Independent, Julius Businge, republished by TradeMark Africa: One-Stop Border Posts ease trade in the region (23 November 2017)
  3. Business Daily, Stellar Murumba: Tanzania, Uganda one-stop border post to cut clearance time (7 November 2017)
  4. Tanzania Revenue Authority: One Stop Border Post (OSBP) (accessed 24 October 2026)
  5. Ministry of Works and Transport, Nelson Rwenaga: Development and management of effective transport corridors by LLDCs, Ugandas experience (undated, hosted by UN-OHRLLS)
  6. Uganda Revenue Authority, Joshua Niyonshima and Jacquiline Emodek: President Museveni urges Government agencies to integrate for facilitation of trade (undated)
  7. Africanews with AFP: Rwanda to re-open border with Uganda (28 January 2022)
  8. East African Business Week, Sharon Kyatumiisire, republished by TradeMark Africa: Rwanda-Uganda border post ready (20 July 2015)
  9. Daily Monitor, Busein Samilu: Cross-border fraud punches holes in URA tax collection (28 June 2024)
  10. Daily Monitor, Michael Agaba: Ministry clears digital number plate backlog amid Parliamentary scrutiny (30 September 2026)

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