President William Ruto and Uganda's Yoweri Museveni at State House Nairobi today. The two countries have signed eight MOUs to strengthen their ties. Photo: William Ruto X.
President William Ruto has affirmed that Kenya will continue to uphold its strong bilateral ties with Uganda after signing eight Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni.
While addressing journalists at State House while hosting Museveni for an official visit, Ruto emphasized that Kenya and Uganda are focused on enhancing their partnership to boost their socio-economic affairs.
Museveni and Ruto inked MOUs including; pledge to strengthen partnerships in Mining, Transport, Quality Assurance, Fisheries, Urban development, Tourism and Trade.
Ruto cited the need to review the current persistent non-tariff, which brings barrier on flow of of goods in the region that have affected livelihoods and the free flow of trading commodities.
Ruto further added that they need to enhance the transport sector from Kenya to Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic, which will include the railway extension from Naivasha, a project President William Ruto said is expected to begin later this year.
Ruto also disclosed plans to begin on urban development of the greater Busia metro project that will be undertaken between this year and 2028. The project entails building infrastructure in Busia, expanding markets, as it is a border town serving both Kenya and Uganda.
Both nations will focus on having a joint mineral exploitation avenues to address cross-border smuggling and illegal mining. Other areas that Kenya and Uganda will work on include reinforcing capacity building on available opportunities in the Blue Economy and enhance food security.
The two nations will also strengthen the tourism sector through the enhancement of cultural exchange and eco-tourism.
Their working and reducing barriers to enhance a smooth economic environment in the region, comes after Tanzania ban foreigners against operating 15 small business in the country after expiry of their license.
Some of the businesses include salon unless working in a hotel, clearing and forwarding, running real estate business, tourism among others, with foreigners found breaching the directive will be liable to revocation of visa and resident permit.
This move by President Samia Suluhu threatens not only diplomatic relations of EAC but also economic progress of the region, as leaders continue to call for removal of non-tariff affecting trade in Africa.
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