Uganda, Kenya hold talks to end trade barriers

Uganda and Kenya have agreed to work together to end trade barriers between the two countries, with limited movement of goods, services and people identified as one of the major obstacles.

The consensus was reached during a meeting between leaders from Uganda and Kenya over the weekend.

The Ugandan delegation was led by the trade, industry and cooperatives minister Sanjay Tanna, who also represented President Yoweri Museveni in some meetings with the Kenyan leadership, led by President William Ruto.

The visit is part of a series of engagements between the two countries aimed at harmonising trade and industry policies, among others, and addressing challenges affecting cross-border trade, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Trade.

During one of the engagements, President William Ruto emphasised the need for East African countries to remove barriers that undermine regional trade and economic integration.

President Ruto With The Ugandan Delegation In Nairobi Over The Weekend

According to Ruto, persistent non-tariff barriers continue to undermine trade, and he called for practical and time-bound solutions because of their direct impact on farmers, traders and businesses.

He added that this can be achieved if countries work together to ensure that regional integration delivers tangible benefits to their people, including expanded markets, stronger industries and improved opportunities for trade and investment.

On his part, Tanna said that through direct dialogue between the two governments, disagreements over products, standards or market access will not continue, as these undermine the wider objective of regional integration.

Additional information from the Ministry indicates that the two sides are expected to continue engaging through their respective ministries and technical teams to ensure that the agreed issues are implemented. A follow-up engagement will be held in Uganda in the first week of October 2026.