By B, KNA
Kenya and Uganda have reaffirmed their commitment towards the implementation
of bilateral relations as directed by the presidents of the two countries in a bid
to achieve shared prosperity, integration and mutual understanding.
This was ascertained during a three-day Kenya-Uganda delegates meeting of the
Mid Term Review of the Second Session of the Joint Ministerial Commission
(JMC) held in Nairobi.
The meeting Co-Chaired by the Principal Secretary, State Department of
Foreign Affairs Dr Korir Singoei and his counterpart Mr Vincent Bagiire
Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda aimed at taking
stock of the strides made after the presidential directives to unlock the gridlocks in
the cooperation between the two countries.
The presidential directives were made during the signing of an eight-point
new Memoranda of Understanding (MOU’S) on 30 th July 2025 at State House,
Nairobi aimed at building strong bilateral ties and bolstering development between
the two countries.
President William Ruto and Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
inked the MOU’s whose key focus areas are; transport, trade, mining, tourism,
fisheries, agriculture, greater Busia metro project and quality assurance-
collaboration between Kenya Bureau of Standards and Uganda National Bureau of
Standards to improve products standards and ease trade.
Other sub set areas include; peace and security, immigration, joint border
control, cultural exchange, deepening trade and customs integration, elimination of
tariffs and non-tariffs barriers (NTB’s), streamlining border procedures in order to
reduce time used to cross the border.
The MOU also included extension of the standard gauge railway to Malaba, removing quotas and duties on goods originating from within the two countries such as poultry and
poultry products, dairy and dairy products, sugar, juices, pishori rice and furniture.
PS Singoei while Co-chairing the MTR Session reiterated that the strategic
partnerships between the two countries represent the aspirations of millions of
people by advancing the African continental agenda of the Africa we want.
“This session serves to inject fresh impetus to the implementation of
presidential directives as guided in the joint communique of May 2024 and July
2025. The review is a reflection of our shared commitment to accountability,
results and mutual benefit for our great countries,” stated PS Singoei.
The PS reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to cooperating with Uganda
towards a more effective partnerships that drive the economic development that
benefit the two countries.
His counterpart and Co- Chair Mr Bagiire, Permanent Secretary for Foreign
Affairs of the Republic of Uganda said the MTR aims at achieving the finalization
of bilateral instruments in immigration, labour and anti-trafficking drug control,
illicit arm trade and police cooperation to be signed at an agreed ministerial
engagement.
“I congratulate the technical committee for the strides made towards the
implementation of the presidential directives for socio-economic transformation
and mutual prosperity for our two countries”, said Bagiire.
In a joint communique, the meeting commended the contribution
of both countries towards advancing peace and security in the region despite
mounting challenges and ever-evolving threats.
It also reaffirmed the strong ties between the Republics of Kenya and
Uganda and pledged to enhance cooperation and strengthen regional institutions
including the customs union, common market and currency.
The need for peaceful coexistence among border communities was also
emphasized by both countries.
The ministers of trade from the two countries are expected to meet on August 29 and 30 in Uganda to discuss among other issues the unresolved NTB’s that
continue to stifle trade between the two countries ahead of the Joint Trade
Committee (JTC) in October 2025.