Faith Nyasuguta
Kenya and Uganda have signed a tripartite agreement today on the importation and transit of petroleum products between the two countries. This agreement, announced by President William Ruto, will allow Uganda to import refined petroleum products directly from producer countries, significantly easing the sector’s challenges.
During a State Visit by President Yoweri Museveni to State House Nairobi on Thursday, President Ruto said, “We have just witnessed this agreement which enables the Uganda National Oil Company Ltd to import refined petroleum commodities directly from producer jurisdictions thus bringing to an end the challenges faced by the sector in Uganda.”
In addition to this agreement, seven other memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed earlier in the week in Kampala. These MoUs were part of the Joint Ministerial Commission meeting that preceded the State Visit. President Ruto expressed confidence that these agreements would strengthen the already robust relationship between Kenya and Uganda and set it on a transformative path.
“As leaders, we are committed to implementing all our obligations in order for our people and nations to reap the full benefits,” President Ruto said.
Both Presidents directed their respective trade ministers to address and resolve any outstanding trade barriers. They also emphasized the importance of extending the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Malaba, and further to Kampala and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This extension is seen as a crucial infrastructure project for efficient and sustainable goods transportation.
“The meeting also emphasized the importance of extending the Standard Gauge Railway from Naivasha to Malaba and all the way to Kampala and DRC as an efficient and sustainable infrastructure for the transportation of goods,” said President Ruto.
The two leaders instructed their ministers to take urgent measures to mobilize resources for the implementation of regional shared infrastructure and to report on progress by the end of the year.
“President Museveni and I appreciated the benefits and power of our close coordination with respect to the East African Community, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the African Union, and other regional organizations, which we recognise as the building blocks for the greater integration of our countries at the continental and international levels,” President Ruto added.
President Ruto commended President Museveni for his significant role in regional integration, expressing gratitude for his dedication to building a robust East African Community and transitioning it into a federation of shared vision and values.
Regarding the agreements signed, President Ruto highlighted several key MoUs:
- Foreign Service Institutions: An MoU to anchor cooperation between the Foreign Service institutions of both countries, ensuring knowledge exchange and harmonization of diplomatic training structures and content.
- Public Service Management and Development: Aimed at enhancing service delivery through improved cooperation in public service management.
- Youth Affairs: Facilitates cooperation to optimize youth capabilities by implementing innovative national policies and programs relevant to young people.
- Sports Cooperation: Demonstrates the commitment to promoting sports, with the two countries and Tanzania preparing to jointly host the 2027 African Cup of Nations.
- Education, Training, and Scientific Research: Guides strategic cooperation in these areas, as well as in the small and medium-sized enterprises sector and gender equality and women’s empowerment.
President Museveni emphasized the need to eliminate barriers hindering trade between Kenya and Uganda, as well as across East Africa and Africa as a whole. He advocated for deeper economic integration for prosperity and strategic security through political integration.
“We should eliminate barriers which hinder trade not only between Kenya and Uganda, but also East Africa and Africa as a whole,” President Museveni said. He stressed the importance of free market and modern economy policies for shared prosperity within the East African Community and across the continent.
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