Business 3 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Busia Border Congested as Cargo Scanner Malfunctions
Dozens of trucks are stranded at the Busia border crossing between Uganda and Kenya due to a breakdown of a crucial cargo scanner. The malfunction has led to significant delays and concerns over spoilage of perishable goods. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/trucks-stuck-at-busia-as-cargo-scanner-breaks-down--5583026
The Busia border, a vital transit point for goods entering Uganda and other landlocked East African nations, is experiencing significant disruptions. A critical cargo scanner, essential for customs inspections, has broken down, causing a backlog of trucks stretching nearly five kilometers into Kenya.
The non-intrusive inspection unit is designed to scan cargo without needing to open containers, helping customs officials detect undeclared items and contraband efficiently. Its malfunction, which occurred early Friday morning, has halted the normal flow of trade.
Truck drivers report being stuck for close to 24 hours. Sulaiman Nakasula, en route to the Democratic Republic of Congo with a load of plastics, expressed frustration over the extended delays and the impact on business. “Our importer is calling me asking why I have delayed delivering the cargo, but I am telling him that we are waiting for the scanner to be repaired,” he told the Daily Monitor.
To mitigate losses, authorities have made a provisional decision to allow trucks carrying perishable and flammable goods to proceed without scanning. This measure aims to prevent spoilage of produce and reduce the risk associated with holding large quantities of fuel at the border.
Both the primary fixed scanner and a mobile emergency scanner, operated by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), are reportedly out of order. URA technicians are on-site working to restore the equipment. The Busia border typically handles between 750 and 1,000 trucks daily, underscoring the economic impact of this breakdown.
This incident highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure at major trade hubs and its direct effect on regional commerce and supply chains. The Northern Corridor, on which Busia lies, is a major artery for goods from the Port of Mombasa to countries like Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the DRC.