Mbale — Uganda and Kenya have reached a historic agreement to eliminate all tariff and non-tariff barriers (NTBs) hindering trade between the two countries, following a high-level ministerial meeting held in Mbale City, Uganda.
The meeting followed a directive by Presidents Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda and William Samoei Ruto of Kenya, after their July bilateral engagement in Nairobi, that ministers urgently resolve long-standing trade barriers affecting the two partner states.
Uganda was represented by Hon. Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (Trade), while Hon. Lee Kinyanjui, Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, led the Kenyan delegation.
Commitment to Eliminate Trade Barriers
The two ministers announced sweeping measures to remove bottlenecks affecting cross-border business.
“All products originating between Kenya and Uganda will henceforth be treated as transfers,” said Gen. Mbadi. “We are eliminating all discriminatory excise duties, levies and charges that have been frustrating the free flow of trade.”
His Kenyan counterpart, Hon. Kinyanjui, stressed that both countries were committed to fully implementing the East African Community (EAC) Treaty and Protocols.
“This agreement marks a turning point. We are removing all barriers that have held back trade between Uganda and Kenya, and ensuring our commitments under the EAC framework are implemented without delay,” Kinyanjui said.
Border Congestion and Delays
A key focus of the Mbale meeting was congestion at the Malaba and Busia borders, two of the busiest crossings along the Northern Corridor.
The ministers directed border agencies to clear congestion within 24 hours—reducing the Malaba queue to no more than four kilometers and Busia to no more than 500 meters.
They also ordered immediate action on multiple checkpoints, 24/7 operations at border facilities, and improvements at the Malaba weighbridge to speed up clearance of goods.
“Trade cannot thrive where goods are stuck for days in long queues. We have given firm directives to ensure our borders remain open, efficient, and competitive,” Gen. Mbadi emphasized.
Infrastructure and Long-Term Measures
The communiqué also outlined joint commitments to upgrade critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and border facilities at Suam and Lwakhakha.
Both ministers pledged to operationalize Joint Border Committees (JBCs), engage the private sector in continuous dialogue, and establish a standing joint technical committee to monitor progress and resolve disputes.
“Efficiency at our borders is not just a government priority—it is a business necessity,” Hon. Kinyanjui noted. “By working with the private sector, we ensure that trade facilitation measures reflect real business needs.”
Appreciation to Heads of State
The ministers jointly expressed gratitude to Presidents Museveni and Ruto for their leadership in pushing for deeper regional integration.
They reaffirmed that all products originating from the two countries will be treated as transfers, in line with the EAC protocols.
The communiqué was signed at Mbale Resort Hotel on August 30, 2025.
Key Outcomes at a Glance:
The key outcomes of the agreement include; elimination of all NTBs and discriminatory levies, border congestion at Malaba and Busia to be cleared within 24 hours and 24/7 operations at all major border posts.
Others are upgrading infrastructure at Suam and Lwakhakha, establishment of Joint Border Committees and a standing technical committee and stronger engagement with the private sector.
