By Reuben Olita, Busia
Kenya and Uganda have agreed to eliminate all existing non-tariff barriers hindering trade between the two countries.
Trade ministers Lee Kinyanjui of Kenya and Gen. Wilson Mbasu of Uganda, who met in Mbale, Eastern Uganda, on Sunday, resolved to fully align all trade-related commitments with the East African Community (EAC) treaty and related protocols.
The meeting followed a directive by Kenyan President Dr. William Samoei Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Kaguta Museveni during their bilateral engagement in Nairobi from July 30–31, 2025. The two heads of state instructed their respective trade ministers to urgently convene and resolve the persistent trade impasse.
In a joint communiqué, the ministers announced that they would prioritize decongesting key cross-border points, including Malaba, Busia, Suam, and Lwakhakha, to ensure the seamless movement of goods, services, and people.
“It is very serious to receive numerous complaints affecting business at the border points. We are committed to restoring normalcy,” said Kinyanjui.
He warned that officers tasked with cargo clearance who fail to discharge their duties efficiently would face severe consequences. “It is regrettable that it takes two to three days for cargo from Kenya to cross the border. Our borders must be seamless and free of non-tariff barriers,” he added.
Uganda’s trade minister, Gen. Mbasu, said the delegation had undertaken an on-the-spot assessment at One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) along the frontier. “We want to facilitate the quick movement of goods, services, and people to boost regional economies. Current barriers are restricting trade and undermining integration,” he said.
Mbasu emphasized that the follow-up inspections would confirm the effectiveness of OSBPs in line with EAC protocols and the broader goal of economic integration.
Also present were Kenya’s Principal Secretaries Dr. Juma Mukhwana (Industry) and Regina Ombam (Trade).
