Summary:
Foreign Affairs officials from Kenya and Uganda signed seven MoUs to strengthen trade ties, addressing barriers and paving the way for a State visit by the Ugandan President. Recent tensions, including disputes over mineral exports and trade restrictions, prompted interventions, leading to resolutions and a commitment to enhance cooperation.
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and his Ugandan counterpart General Odongo Jeje Abubakhar took significant strides towards bolstering trade relations between their respective nations during a Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) held in Kampala, Uganda.
The focus of the meeting was to mitigate trade barriers hindering the smooth flow of commerce between Kenya and Uganda. As a result of fruitful discussions, the two officials signed seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering key areas such as diplomatic training, public service management, education, youth affairs, sports, trade and investment, as well as the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The JMC’s importance was underscored by its role in setting the stage for Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s forthcoming two-day State visit, commencing on May 15th.
Addressing the persistent challenges posed by Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) to cross-border trade, Mudavadi expressed the need for thorough deliberations to reach conclusive solutions. He also highlighted the significance of addressing immigration issues, boundary reaffirmation, and other cross-border matters to facilitate smoother interactions between the two nations.
General Abubakhar echoed Mudavadi’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of resolving constraints to foster mutual understanding and deepen bilateral cooperation.
Recent tensions between Kenya and Uganda, including disputes over mineral exports and trade restrictions, prompted interventions from both governments. Notably, President Museveni lifted a 12-year ban on mineral exports following negotiations with President Ruto. Kenya reciprocated by lifting a ban on powdered milk imports from Uganda, stimulating market demand.
Another contentious issue involved Uganda’s access to the Mombasa Port for petroleum product transportation, which Kenya initially denied. This disagreement prompted Uganda to explore alternative importation avenues through the Uganda National Oil Company. However, subsequent discussions between Museveni and Ruto resulted in the resolution of the impasse.
The efforts of Mudavadi and General Abubakhar signify a commitment to fostering stronger ties between Kenya and Uganda, paving the way for enhanced trade cooperation and shared prosperity for both nations.
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