Kagitumba & Mirama Hills Border Crossing

The Kagitumba-Mirama Hills Crossing: The Northeastern Gateway

The border crossing at Kagitumba in the northeast of Rwanda, which connects to the Ugandan post of Mirama Hills, is the second most important road gateway between the two nations. This is a major, 24-hour, modern “One-Stop Border Post,” located at the tri-point where the borders of Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania meet. This crossing is not on the main Kigali-Kampala route, but it is a critical artery for trade and travel connecting Rwanda with western Uganda and, by extension, with Tanzania. The landscape is one of rolling green hills and savannah, the beautiful Ankole region of Uganda, famous for its long-horned cattle. The atmosphere is that of a modern, efficient, and less congested alternative to the main Gatuna crossing. For the traveler, this is an excellent off-the-beaten-path route, a passage through a beautiful and culturally rich part of the Great Lakes region, and a gateway to Uganda’s western national parks.

A History of a New Corridor

The history of this crossing is a modern one. For many years, this was a minor, local checkpoint with very poor road infrastructure. The main flow of traffic was always through the more direct Gatuna-Katuna crossing. The transformation of the Kagitumba-Mirama Hills crossing into a major international gateway is a recent development, a product of the East African Community’s strategy to create new and alternative trade corridors. The road on both sides of the border was fully paved and upgraded, and a massive, brand new One-Stop Border Post was constructed with international funding. The goal was to provide a second, high-capacity link to reduce the pressure on the Gatuna crossing and to boost development in the border regions of northeastern Rwanda and western Uganda. The crossing is a symbol of this new, forward-looking infrastructure planning, an attempt to create a more resilient and integrated regional transport network. It is a border that was built for the future, a new artery in the heart of Africa.

The Border Crossing Procedure: The One-Stop Border Post

The border is open 24 hours. The process is consolidated into a large, modern One-Stop Border Post (OSBP), which makes the process very efficient and streamlined. It is generally much less crowded than Gatuna.

The One-Stop Process: The new OSBP is a massive, modern complex that houses the officials of both countries in a single building. The key principle is that you only stop once to do all your paperwork.

Exiting Rwanda and Entering Uganda: You will arrive at the OSBP. You will first go to the Rwandan immigration counter and get your passport stamped for exit. You will then walk a few meters to the Ugandan immigration counter in the same hall. Here, you will present your passport. You can obtain a Ugandan visa on arrival, or an East African Tourist Visa. You will pay the fee in US dollars. You will also need your yellow fever vaccination certificate. After getting your Ugandan entry stamp, you will go through a single customs check for your luggage. The process is designed to be linear and efficient.

Exiting Uganda and Entering Rwanda: The process is the same in reverse. You will get your Ugandan exit stamp and your Rwandan entry stamp (visa on arrival is also available for Rwanda) in the same building. The modern facilities and lower traffic volume make this a very smooth and hassle-free experience.

Route, Onward Travel, and Western Uganda

This crossing is on a major, newly paved highway. On the Rwandan side, the road connects to the main highway network, leading to the capital, Kigali (a 3-4 hour drive). The road also provides easy access to the Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda, a beautiful savannah park that is home to the Big Five. On the Ugandan side, from the Mirama Hills border, the road connects to the city of Mbarara, the main hub of western Uganda. From Mbarara, you can travel north to Kampala, or you can head west to explore the stunning national parks of western Uganda, including Queen Elizabeth National Park (famous for its tree-climbing lions), Kibale Forest National Park (for chimpanzee trekking), and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (for gorilla trekking). This makes the Kagitumba crossing an excellent entry point for a safari circuit that focuses on western Uganda. For those without a car, there are direct bus services that use this route, connecting Kigali with Mbarara and Kampala.

Final Planning Advice for the Northeastern Gateway

The Kagitumba-Mirama Hills crossing is a fantastic, modern, and efficient alternative to the main Gatuna border. It is particularly well-suited for travelers with their own vehicle and for those whose itinerary is focused on eastern Rwanda and western Uganda. The One-Stop Border Post makes the process very smooth. The key to a successful journey is to have your documents in order. The East African Tourist Visa is a great option for this route. Have your yellow fever certificate ready. The journey it enables, through the beautiful rolling hills of the Ankole kingdom and into the heart of Uganda’s best wildlife destinations, is a memorable one. It is a border that represents the new face of East African integration, a smooth and scenic passage through a land of incredible natural beauty.