This archive report was first published on 28 October 2021.
On October 28, 2021, tensions rose between Kenya and Uganda over the impounding of four trucks ferrying fish worth Sh50 million from Kenya to the Democratic Republic of Congo at the Mpondwe border.
According to the Ugandan Fisheries Protection Unit, the fish was seized at the Mpondwe border, sparking a blame game between the two countries.
Deputy President William Ruto released a statement on Monday, urging Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to facilitate the release of the detained Kenyans and trucks full of fish held by the FPU.
Kenyan traders have complained of harassment by Ugandan officials, especially at Ugandan ports, hindering maritime trade between the two countries.
Both countries are mulling ways to remove bottlenecks impeding flawless maritime trade amid a growing demand for exports and imports.
Ugandan ports take 80% of exports from Kenya through Lake Victoria, while countries such as DR Congo and Rwanda use Ugandan ports to import goods from Kenya.
Authorities and business people from the two countries claim that an unfavorable business environment created by the two countries threatens to stall maritime trade.
Goods are sometimes blocked from accessing Ugandan or Kenyan markets even after being cleared by the Kenya Revenue Authority and Uganda Revenue Authority.
When this writer visited Jinja Port last Saturday, the port was deserted, with only an empty wagon waiting for oil from Kenya to transport it to the Jinja Storage Terminal operated by the Uganda National Oil company.
