Minister of State for Trade Gen Wilson Mbadi has called on Uganda and Kenya to urgently address persistent trade barriers, warning that delays in implementing agreed measures could undermine regional integration.
Mbadi made the call while closing a meeting of the Uganda-Kenya Joint Technical Committee (JTC) on trade, where he raised concerns about the trade imbalance between the two countries and urged Kenya to provide Ugandan exporters with fair access to its market.
“We are simply saying, provide an environment that allows fair trade and competitiveness. Uganda wants to export more products to the Kenyan market, just like you have access to our market,” Mbadi said.
He described Kenya as one of Uganda’s most important trading partners and noted that Uganda remained a significant market for Kenyan goods and services.
Mbadi called for improved coordination at the Busia and Malaba border crossings, stronger One-Stop Border Posts and faster development of alternative crossings at Suam and Lwakhakha to facilitate trade between the neighbouring countries.
He said delays in implementing commitments reached during bilateral discussions risked weakening confidence in regional integration efforts.
“When matters are repeatedly discussed, commitments are made, and yet implementation remains slow or nonexistent, the credibility of the regional integration process is weakened,” he said.
The meeting ended with the Permanent Secretaries of the trade ministries of Uganda and Kenya signing the agreed minutes, witnessed by Mbadi.
The minister reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to strengthening economic ties with Kenya and advancing integration within the East African Community (EAC).
“We have no interest in confrontation. Our interest is in building a stronger, more integrated and more prosperous East Africa,” he said, urging both countries to translate the committee’s resolutions into concrete action.
The meeting comes amid continued efforts by EAC partner states to address barriers to the movement of goods and services across the region. Implementation of agreed measures remains central to improving market access and enabling businesses to benefit from regional trade.