President Ruto Responds Firmly to President Museveni’s Agitated Phone Call
On Monday, May 29, President William Ruto told delegates at the African Private Sector Dialogue on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) how his angry Ugandan counterpart called him.
Ruto disclosed that Museveni was displeased with Kenyan government officials whom he accused of bureaucracy in handling Ugandan goods.
The Head of State questioned why Kenyan officials were becoming increasingly bureaucratic with merchants, given that Uganda was Kenya’s second-largest trading partner.
Ruto admonished government officials from both countries to view each other as partners, stating that the Ugandan president was unhappy with the bureaucratic tendencies of some of Kenya’s government officials, even though Uganda was Kenya’s second-largest trading partner.
On April 27, 2023, President William Ruto meets Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni at Uganda’s State House.
On April 27, 2023, President William Ruto (right) meets with President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda at the State House of Uganda. Therefore, PCS Ruto cautioned African leaders and Kenyan officials in particular that cooperation in trade was necessary because it would yield mutual benefits.
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Additionally, he challenged the African Private Sector Dialogue on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to consider Africa as a whole and not as a collection of countries.
Ruto disclosed that Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Eritrea are seeking an agreement to establish a regional airline that would benefit all parties.
The Head of State urged partner nations to eliminate non-tariff trade barriers to establish a business ecosystem that will inspire growth and development throughout partner nations.
Kenya and Uganda have a lengthy history of economic cooperation as members of the East African Community (EAC).
Kenya exported goods valued at Ksh46.77 billion ($386.3 million) in 2022, a decrease of 8.5% compared to the same period in 2021.
Kenya’s primary exports to Uganda consist of cement, palm oil, and coated flat-rolled iron. Uganda’s primary exports to Kenya are raw sugar, milk, and plywood.
Both Kenya and Uganda value their trade relationship with one another. Uganda’s largest export market is Kenya, while Kenya’s second-largest export market is Uganda.
However, between-country traders routinely complain about the high cost of transportation.
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Specifically, the distance between the two countries is relatively short, but the roads and railways are in poor condition, which makes transporting goods expensive.
Lack of Coordination of Policies
Different import and export duties imposed by the two countries can make it difficult for businesses to trade between them.
Despite the obstacles, Kenya and Uganda have a robust trade relationship that is expected to continue expanding in the future.
Therefore, the two governments are working to improve the infrastructure between the two nations and harmonize their trade policies to facilitate business.
Kenya and Uganda cooperate in several other areas, including security, education, and agriculture, in addition to trade.
President Ruto Responds Firmly to President Museveni’s Agitated Phone Call
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