The Kenyan and Ugandan governments have signed a tripartite agreement on the importation and transit of petroleum products through the two countries.
Speaking during the signing on Thursday at State House, President William Ruto said the agreement will enable Uganda to import refined petroleum commodities directly from the producer countries.
“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.”
President Ruto explained this during the Joint Ministerial Commission meeting ahead of the State Visit
Seven other memoranda of understanding were signed earlier in the week in Kampala.
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The agreements include anchoring cooperation between our Foreign Service institutions, Cooperation on Public Service Management and Development, facilitating cooperation in youth affairs, and an MOU on cooperation in sports.
“Additionally, we have an instrument to guide our strategic cooperation in education, training and scientific research, as well as MOUs in the small and medium-sized enterprises sector, and gender equality and women’s empowerment,” said President Ruto.
The Head of State expressed optimism that the agreements will consolidate the strong relationship between the two countries and anchor it on a “transformative trajectory.”
“As leaders, we are committed to implementing all our obligations in order for our people and nations to reap the full benefits,” he said.
The two Presidents directed the ministers of trade in both countries to meet and resolve any outstanding barriers affecting trade.
“The meeting also emphasised 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.”
Further, he said that the two countries had instructed their respective ministers to take urgent measures and mobilise resources for the implementation of the regional shared infrastructure and report on progress by the end of this year.
On his part, President Museveni emphasized the need for the two countries to eliminate barriers hindering trade development.
“We should eliminate barriers which hinder trade not only between Kenya and Uganda, but also East Africa and Africa as a whole,” he said.
President Museveni said the East African Community and Africa must deepen free market and modern economy policies for shared prosperity.
