How Uganda reaped more than Kenya as 2 sign Pacts.

As Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni concludes his 2 day state visit to Kenya, details on the trade pacts signd by the two presidents emerges.

From the details, Ugandan traders are set to be the biggest beneficiaries than their Kenyan counterparts after their two countries yesterday signed a raft of agreements meant to ease trade, cement political ties and improve their social/cultural connections.

The agreements, clustered into three major categories; defence, trade and social affairs, focus on not only easing means of doing business between the two countries but also resolve some of the sticking issues that have hampered trade.

Som of the pacts which benefited Uganda more include the pacts direct Kenya to consider the increase of its sugar quota imported from Uganda to 90,000 metric tonnes from the current 36,000 tonnes.

Uganda has been tasked to formally lodge a request to this effect that would create market for at least 54,000 metric tonnes of its surplus 90,000 metric tonnes it produces annually.

The poultry industry in Uganda will also have reason to smile after Kenya agreed to lift the ban on poultry products from Uganda within a week, dependent on Ugandan authorities furnishing them with necessary information making a case for the decision.

Another sector set to profit Uganda is the tile makers after it was agreed that a joint verification of their quality be conducted within two weeks and thereafter they can be exported to Kenya.

For dairy producers from Uganda, it should be good news after Kenya agreed to do away with a host on non-tariff barriers that were affecting their exports. For example, they will no longer need authority from the Livestock Department of Kenya to export milk into the country.

Kenya also clarified that it has resumed issuance of importation permits of dairy products from Uganda, which had stopped on February 1st this year.

On the other hand, beef exporters in Kenya can expect to tap into the Uganda market after the latter was directed to lift its ban on beef and beef products from Kenya with immediate effect. This was one of the only major deal that Kenyan traders benefited from.

The other decisions arrived at focus on bettering the trade environment, including directives that Kenya reduces its numerous roadblocks that affect cargo destined for Uganda, it deploys more staff in Kampala to facilitate trade and allows more Ugandan clearing agents to access their systems.

Both countries’ revenue authorities have also been directed to work jointly in enforcing land and lake patrols, continue improving the single customs system at borders, and closer cooperation of revenue officers at the coastal city of Mombasa.