Dr. Lumumba Calls for Socioeconomic Integration and Border Reforms at Kenya’s Madaraka Day Celebrations

Dr. Musa Lumumba, on Sunday led a high-level Ugandan delegation to Busia County, Kenya, to join in the celebrations of Madaraka Day, Kenya’s independence day, where he made a passionate appeal for deeper East African integration and the opening of new border points between the two nations.

The celebrations, held at Namboboto Secondary School in Samia Sub-County, drew dignitaries from across the region. Dr. Lumumba and his delegation were received by H.E. Dr. Paul Otwoma, Governor of Busia County, alongside his Deputy Governor, the County Commissioner, and other senior Kenyan officials.

Among the prominent guests in attendance was Ambassador Ababu Namwamba, Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON).

Prof. George Luchiri Wajackoyah, a lawyer, and former presidential candidate in Kenya’s 2022 general election held on 9 August 2022, who ran under the Roots Party of Kenya, also attended.

In his keynote speech, Dr. Lumumba, who is a contestant for the NRM CEC Vice Chairmanship for eastern Uganda, hailed Madaraka Day as not only a national milestone for Kenya but a moment of collective reflection for East Africa and the broader African continent.

“This is a unique day, not only here in Kenya but in East Africa and the whole of Africa,” he said. “It reminds us of the immense and relentless sacrifices made by selfless compatriots in the struggle for self-governance. Uganda shares this history, having gained independence on 9th October 1962. In that Pan-African spirit, I am honored to be here, leading a delegation of esteemed Ugandan leaders to celebrate with our Kenyan brothers and sisters.”

Dr. Lumumba hailed Kenya’s achievements in peace, stability, and economic growth, and emphasized the need for the East African Community (EAC) to build upon these gains. He called for enhanced regional cooperation rooted in shared prosperity, patriotism, democracy, and Pan-Africanism.

A key highlight of his address was the advocacy for the establishment of new border crossing points between Uganda and Kenya, to ease congestion at the Malaba and Busia border posts, which currently handle the lion’s share of cross-border trade and transit.

“We must facilitate the movement of goods and people between our two countries,” Dr. Lumumba said. “Let Kenyans invest in Uganda and Ugandans invest in Kenya. We are one people, and trade should not be hindered by bottlenecks and long queues at a handful of border posts.”

He invoked the historical example of former Kenyan Vice President H.E. Moody Awori and his Ugandan counterpart, the late Hon. Aggrey Awori, both of whom served in high office at the same time—despite being from opposite sides of the border. Dr. Lumumba urged leaders and citizens alike not to allow colonial-era boundaries to divide them.

“Let us not allow demarcations made by colonialists to complicate our lives socially, politically, and economically,” he concluded.

The visit is part of ongoing efforts to foster stronger bilateral ties between Uganda and Kenya. It also highlights the renewed drive across the East African region to implement the goals of the EAC Treaty, including the free movement of people, goods, and services.

Dr. Lumumba’s message was warmly received by the Kenyan hosts, with Governor Otwoma commending the Ugandan delegation for standing in solidarity with Kenya during such a symbolic event.