NAIROBI,Kenya– Kenya and Uganda have agreed on a raft of measures to dismantle tariff and non-tariff barriers (NTBs) that have long constrained trade between the two countries, following a high-level ministerial meeting in Mbale City.
The talks followed a directive by Presidents Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and William Ruto, who during their July bilateral engagement in Nairobi ordered their trade ministers to urgently resolve barriers affecting the flow of goods across their shared borders.
Uganda’s delegation was led by Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, while Kenya was represented by Lee Kinyanjui, Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry.
Senior officials from both countries’ finance, agriculture, standards, revenue, and transport agencies also took part.
A key focus was the persistent congestion at the Malaba and Busia borders, where long queues of trucks have slowed trade.
The ministers attributed the delays to administrative bottlenecks, infrastructure limitations, and multiple check points.
“Ministers directed border agencies to clear the congestion within 24 hours and reduce and maintain it not more than 4 kilometers at Malaba, and not more than 500 metres at Busia,” the joint communiqué stated.
They further instructed border management agencies to operate on a 24/7 basis, streamline weighbridge operations, and remove delays linked to excessive checkpoints.
Both governments committed to prioritizing infrastructure upgrades, including new roads, bridges, and completion of the Suam One Stop Border Post.
“Both Ministers committed to eliminate all existing tariffs and NTBs hindering trade between the two countries and fully implement all trade-related commitments under the EAC Treaty and Protocols.
The meeting also agreed to strengthen private sector engagement and operationalize Joint Border Committees to handle day-to-day challenges.
A standing joint technical committee will be established to monitor implementation and resolve disputes.
The two ministers reaffirmed that goods originating between Kenya and Uganda will be treated as transfers under East African Community protocols, signaling a renewed push toward deeper regional integration and smoother trade flows.
