President Museveni of Uganda makes an official visit to Kenya

Yoweri Museveni, the president of Uganda, is in Kenya for a two-day state visit.

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mr. Musalia Mudavadi, stated during the second Uganda-Kenya Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) closing session on Tuesday afternoon at the Sheraton Hotel that the state visit would give the two nations “an excellent opportunity to exchange views and review progress on the many bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest.”

Technocrats from both nations examined the results of the first conference, which took place in March 2019, as the JPC got underway on Monday.

The second JPC’s major priorities were security, cross-border [re]affirmation, and trade facilitation through the reduction of non-tariff barriers.

Nine memoranda of agreement pertaining to areas of mutual collaboration between the two governments were signed as the meeting came to an end.

“I hope that the issues surrounding non-tariff barriers—which have persisted in impeding cross-border trade between our countries—will be thoroughly examined and a resolution will be reached to allow for the expansion of bilateral trade,” Mudavadi stated.

“Additionally, it is critical to address other outstanding issues pertaining to immigration, boundary reaffirmation, which has advanced slowly due to funding challenges, impacting the action plan, and other cross-border matters are addressed as soon as possible,” he stated.

“I am confident that if we openly discuss and appropriately resolve these constraints; we will enhance our mutual understanding, deepen our bilateral cooperation, enhance trade between our countries, and promote common prosperity for our people,” stated Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Gen. Jeje Odongo.

Kenya has repeatedly imposed restrictions on Ugandan agricultural goods, such as eggs and powdered milk.

Months of economic turmoil were also experienced by the two nations after Ugandan officials were refused access to petroleum infrastructure by Kenyan authorities, prompting Uganda to launch a new importation strategy through the state-owned Uganda National Oil Company.

Before this standoff was resolved, President Museveni and his Kenyan colleague William Ruto had to have a meeting.

Kenya continues to be one of Uganda’s top export markets on the continent despite these setbacks.