Katuna Border is a major entry point and a one-stop border post between Uganda and Rwanda. On the Rwandan side, it is known as Gatuna and is located in Gicumbi District in the Northern Province. In Uganda, it is found in Kabale District in the southwest.
The Katuna Border operates 24 hours a day. It is about 15 to 28 kilometers from Kabale, which takes around 30 minutes by road. From Kigali, the border is about 80 to 86 kilometers away, or roughly a 2-hour drive.
Crossing the Katuna Border has become much easier with the one-stop system. Immigration offices for both Uganda and Rwanda are located in the same building, allowing travelers to complete both exit and entry procedures at once. You will need an exit stamp from the country you are leaving and an entry stamp for the country you are entering.
Visitors can obtain visas on arrival at the border. It is advisable to carry 100 USD in cash for visa payment, as card payments are not accepted. All luggage is checked by customs officers. Traveling by bus between Uganda and Rwanda is a cost-effective option, and most transport companies are experienced in handling visa formalities at the border.
Katuna, or Gatuna, is also Rwanda’s main trade border, connecting the country to Kenya’s Mombasa Port through the Northern Corridor Highway. The border is busy with trucks, traders, and buses operating 24 hours a day.
For tourists, the Katuna Border serves as an important gateway to the Gorilla Highlands of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, as well as Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Nearby attractions include Lake Bunyonyi, located about 20 kilometers from the border. The lake has beautiful islands where visitors can relax after gorilla trekking. Ihimba Hot Springs, also close to the border, are believed by locals to have healing powers.
Accommodation options near Katuna include Lakeside View Hotel, White Horse Inn, and Paradise Eco Hub, among others.
The people living around Katuna come from different cultural backgrounds due to intermarriages between communities from Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Congo.
The Katuna Border has greatly supported tourism and trade between Uganda and Rwanda, making it one of the most important border crossings in the region.
