Uganda Kenya Trade Barriers Removal Agreement Formalized

• Uganda and Kenya have formally agreed to remove remaining trade barriers at a joint meeting in Kampala.
• The agreement aims to improve market access for Ugandan products in Kenya and reaffirms commitment to the EAC Common Market Protocol.
• Most non-tariff barriers were resolved by the end of June 2026, though some require national law amendments and are still in process.
• Kenya committed to the operationalisation of One-Stop Border Posts and the elimination of discriminatory taxes and levies.
• Uganda seeks fair and predictable trade conditions, not just balanced volumes, to address existing trade imbalances.

He stated that Uganda seeks an environment that supports fair trade competitiveness, desiring increased trade with Kenya and greater access for Ugandan products in the Kenyan market, mirroring the access Kenyan goods have in Uganda.

Uganda and Kenya have formally agreed to dismantle persistent obstacles hindering the free flow of goods between their borders. This significant development emerged from a joint meeting held in Kampala on Monday, where officials from both nations reaffirmed their dedication to the principles of the East African Community (EAC) Common Market. The discussions, spearheaded by Uganda's Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, primarily focused on enhancing market access for Ugandan products within Kenya.

This recent Kampala gathering builds upon prior high-level engagements, including a meeting in August 2026 between Kenyan President William Ruto and Uganda's trade leadership. During that earlier session, both countries had pledged to address and resolve existing trade frictions. The current Uganda Kenya trade barriers removal agreement is a direct outcome of these ongoing diplomatic efforts, aiming to create a more equitable and predictable trading environment.

At the heart of these discussions is the East African Community Common Market Protocol, which mandates partner states to eliminate non-tariff barriers and ensure that goods originating from fellow EAC members are treated as intra-community transfers, rather than being subjected to restrictive import measures. Despite these established regional frameworks, Uganda has frequently voiced concerns over what it perceives as obstructions by Kenyan authorities to Ugandan goods, contrasting with the relatively open access Kenyan products often enjoy in the Ugandan market.

Uganda's Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Lynette B. Bagonza, articulated during the Speke Munyonyo meeting that a primary objective was to eradicate mistrust and foster smoother Uganda Kenya trade relations. She highlighted the discrepancy between the EAC Common Market ideal, where products should move freely as transfers, and the reality where individual states sometimes implement protective measures for domestic businesses. The commitment to full EAC Common Market Protocol implementation is crucial for the region's economic integration.

Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi clarified Uganda's position, emphasizing that the nation's goal is not to artificially balance trade volumes or reduce them, but rather to establish fair and predictable conditions for commerce. He stated that Uganda seeks an environment that supports fair trade competitiveness, desiring increased trade with Kenya and greater access for Ugandan products in the Kenyan market, mirroring the access Kenyan goods have in Uganda. Mbadi underscored that the concern lies with the structure and conditions of trade, not trade itself, warning that a persistent imbalance, where goods predominantly flow in one direction while Ugandan products face barriers, would inevitably strain the bilateral trading relationship.

In response, Kenya's Principal Secretary in the State Department for Trade, Regina Ombam, reiterated Nairobi's firm commitment to implementing the agreed-upon measures. These include the crucial operationalisation of One-Stop Border Posts and the removal of any discriminatory taxes and levies that impede East African Community cross-border trade. Ombam stressed the importance of cross-border trade as a "new frontier" for economic growth across the African continent, acknowledging that these resolutions demand continuous engagement, a spirit of partnership, mutual respect, and trust to be successful.

The recent agreement outlines a clear path for the removal of Uganda Kenya non-tariff barriers, with most issues were resolved by the end of June 2026, with others still in the process. However, some remaining challenges necessitate amendments to national laws, a process that inherently requires time and can, in practice, lead to the re-emergence of barriers. The East African Community Customs Union and Common Market Protocol explicitly obligate partner states to dismantle existing non-tariff barriers and to refrain from introducing new ones.

Despite these obligations, administrative restrictions and delays related to standards have historically posed challenges to the seamless movement of goods. The success of this Uganda Kenya trade barriers removal agreement hinges on the diligent and timely execution of the agreed resolutions, particularly the legislative changes required by June 2026, to ensure that the stated commitments translate into tangible improvements for businesses engaged in East African Community cross-border trade.

Lawyers and compliance officers advising businesses engaged in cross-border trade between Uganda and Kenya should monitor the practical implementation of this agreement, particularly the elimination of non-tariff barriers and any amendments to national laws by June 2026. This development signals a commitment to smoother trade, potentially reducing compliance burdens and opening new market access opportunities, but vigilance is required to ensure the stated resolutions translate into actionable changes on the ground.

Source: Original reporting via URN