This archive report was first published on 23 May 2020.
On May 12, 2020, Heads of State from Rwanda, Uganda, South Sudan, and Kenya held a video conference to discuss measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting resulted in a decision to adopt a digital surveillance and tracking system for all transit cargo drivers.
As of June 1, 2020, all transit cargo destined for Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan will be transported via the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) for clearance at the Inland Container Depot in Naivasha or metre gauge to Tororo/Kampala.
Containers transported on the SGR will be cleared only at the ICD in Naivasha and tracked through the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System. This move aims to reduce the impact of the pandemic by minimizing human interaction during cargo handling.
The Nairobi-Naivasha SGR line will be used by Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan to move their cargo, reducing the road distance to these countries by 600 kilometres. Kenya's Transport Minister, James Macharia, stated that the deployment of staff to the ICD at Naivasha will be finalized to ensure smooth clearance of cargo.
Kenya Ports Authority has already provided office accommodation to the Revenue Authorities of Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan.
