Kenya and Uganda have agreed to eliminate all existing tariff and non-tariff barriers hindering trade between the two countries and to align all trade-related commitments with the East African Community (EAC) treaty and protocols.
In a joint communique issued in Mbale, Uganda, on Saturday, Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui and his Ugandan counterpart, General Wilson Mbasu, also pledged to clear congestion of trucks at key cross-border points, including Malaba, Busia, Suam, and Lwakhakha, to ensure the smooth flow of goods, services, and people.
The ministers resolved to remove discriminatory excise duties, levies, and other charges of equivalent effect.
Border agencies were directed to clear truck congestion at the Malaba border within 24 hours, maintaining a maximum queue of four kilometres, and at the Busia border, a maximum of 500 metres.
Both ministers committed to addressing delays caused by multiple checkpoints and ensuring 24/7 operations at their respective functions.
The Ugandan government pledged to address issues related to Malaba weighbridge operations along major trade corridors to facilitate faster movement of goods.
Both sides committed to prioritising and mobilising resources for critical border infrastructure, including road upgrades and bridge construction.
They also agreed to complete the construction of the Kenya side of Suam One Stop Border Post, upgrade road infrastructure, and acquire a scanner for the Kenya side of Lwakhakha border point.
Joint Border Committees were directed to be operationalised to resolve daily challenges and escalate unresolved matters promptly.
The two countries underscored the importance of continuous dialogue with private sector stakeholders to ensure trade facilitation measures reflect business realities.
They also agreed to establish a standing joint technical committee to monitor and resolve all trade barriers between the two nations.
The Ugandan delegation included representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries; Ministry of Works and Transport; Uganda Revenue Authority; Uganda Free Zones and Export Promotion Authority; and Uganda National Bureau of Standards.
The Kenyan delegation included PSs Juma Mukhwana (Industry) and Regina Ombam (Trade), alongside representatives from the Ministries of Investments and Industry and Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Affairs, the Kenya High Commission in Kampala, Kenya Bureau of Standards, Agriculture and Food Authority, and Kenya Revenue Authority.
This bilateral agreement follows a directive by President William Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Museveni, during their bilateral engagement in Nairobi in July 2025, urging ministers responsible for trade to urgently resolve existing trade barriers.
The two ministers held a sideline meeting on July 31 in Nairobi, agreeing to exchange lists of products affected by non-tariff barriers (NTBs) and convene a technical meeting in Mbale, Uganda, from August 18 to 22 to review the lists.
Technical officers were directed to assess Suam, Busia, Malaba, and Lwakhakha border points to determine the causes of delays and congestion and provide comprehensive recommendations to the ministers during their meeting on August 29 and 30.
