Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs General Odongo Jeje Abubakhar held a high-level meeting on May 14 ahead of President Yoweri Museveni state visit to State House, Nairobi.
Held at the Sheraton Hotel, Kampala, Uganda, the Second Session of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) meeting was held to address trade and bilateral matters between the two countries.
During the meeting, the Ministers identified the opportunities existing in their two countries that could be exploited for the socio-economic transformation of both Kenyans and Ugandans and signed seven Memoranda of Understanding.
Additionally, the move was meant to pay way for the state visit as well as smoothen the atmosphere as a result of tension that has existed between the two countries over various regulations.
“The two Ministers noted that holding a Joint Ministerial Commission meeting closely followed by a State visit by H.E President Yoweri Museveni to Nairobi is a testimony of the warm, cordial and brotherly relations between Kenya and Uganda noting that these relations are based on deep historical economic and socio-cultural ties that predate the independence of both countries,” a publication from the Prime cabinet secretary read in part.
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Agreements Made During the Meeting
Further, the two ministers also agreed to resolve all the tariff and non-tariff barriers in order to promote mutual growth, development and prosperity, making a decision to meet and consult regularly.
“The Ministers identified the opportunities existing in their two countries that could be exploited for the socio-economic transformation of their respective citizens.
“They also identified the challenges that have affected the free flow of bilateral and agreed to resolve all the tariff and non-tariff barriers in order to promote mutual growth, development and prosperity,” added the statement.
At the same time, Mudavadi and General Odongo agreed that both countries ought to establish a Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism to ensure full implementation of the decisions reached.
“The Ministers welcomed the proposal to hold a joint technical committee meeting to address any trade and investment issues that may still be pending
“Recalling the strong bilateral ties of friendship that the two countries enjoy, the two ministers for Foreign Affairs reiterated their commitment to further deepen the relations between the countries by strengthening cooperation in the various sectors of the economies while ensuring regular consultations to solve any emerging issues,” Mudavadi noted.
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Tension Between Ruto and Museveni
Both Kenya and Uganda have in the past months implemented measures to end the stalemate between the two nations including the lift of a ban on the importation of powdered milk from Uganda, in April 2024.
Additionally, Uganda lifted a 12-year mineral ban following a meeting and agreement with Ruto.
Also, Uganda resorted to import petroleum products through the Uganda National Oil Company after a tiff developed over the imporattion of the products through Kenya’s port of Mombasa.
Kenya had denied Uganda a license to channel its petroleum products from the Mombasa Port using Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) infrastructure. However, the two nations had a sit down to devise a way forward.
During the visit, Museveni will hold talks with his host President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi.
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