Gatuna Border Post | Rwanda-Uganda Crossing Guide

Did you know that the Gatuna border is located between Uganda and Rwanda?

Uganda and Rwanda are both landlocked countries in East Africa. Each has many great places to visit. These two countries have nicknames that show how special they are. Uganda is called “the Pearl of Africa,” a name given by explorer Sir Samuel Baker during his trip to Africa. Rwanda is known as “the land of a thousand hills” because of its many mountains in the west, savannah in the southeast, and many lakes and rivers. Both countries belong to the East African Community and share a border called the Gatuna/Katuna border.

This border lies between the two countries, but the name is said differently: in Rwanda, it is Gatuna, while in Uganda, it is Katuna. Both mean the same thing. Katuna is just 30 kilometers by road from Kabale town. In 2019, the Rwandan government closed the Gatuna/Katuna border, but it reopened on January 31, 2022, after being closed for three years.

Since reopening, Katuna has been growing fast. The town is developing day and night because the border now operates 24 hours. Most goods from Kenya’s Mombasa port pass through the Katuna border. The name Gatuna/Katuna means “meeting place.” It was given by the Bakiga people, who got lost near Lake Bunyonyi (called the lake of little birds) and decided to rest there before continuing their journey the next day.

People living around Katuna are mostly cattle keepers and farmers. They grow Irish potatoes because the soil is fertile and the climate is good. Building houses here is hard because the land is often marshy and wet. Some areas have rocks and steep valleys.

Katuna is also near Kabale University, only a few kilometers away. Many students from neighboring countries like Burundi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo come here to study, as well as Ugandan students. The university has more than 1,400 students, and the number keeps growing. Many students come from schools near the Gatuna border. The university offers both undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

The Gatuna border is surrounded by hills and mountains, which is why the area is sometimes called the “Switzerland of Africa.” Nearby is Lake Bunyonyi, the second deepest lake in Uganda, located about 20 kilometers northwest of Gatuna. The area is full of hills and mountains where good crops grow.

Because the border is surrounded by mountains, it is a great place for mountain hiking. You can reach Gatuna by a murram road passing through Kakoma to Rubaya. From this border, you can easily visit many nearby places, such as Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. You can also visit Mount Muhavura, a volcano near Lake Bunyonyi.

Security at the border is good. There is a police station in Katuna town to keep people and their property safe, especially because the border is busy with many travelers.

For accommodation, Gatuna offers many options, including luxury, mid-range, and budget hotels and lodges. You can choose what fits your needs and budget.

There are two main border points to enter Rwanda from Uganda or the other way around. These are Katuna/Gatuna and Cyanika/Kyanika. Cyanika is located in Kisoro District in Uganda and Burera District on the Rwanda side.

There is much more to learn about Gatuna border post, but this article covers the basics. You will discover more when you take a safari to either Uganda or Rwanda.

For more information about the Gatuna/Katuna border post, contact us. Book with us for the best experience.