Museveni, Ruto Agree to Extend SGR to Malaba as Uganda & Kenya Sign 7 New Deals

Uganda’s Presidents Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda and William Ruto of Kenya have signed seven new bilateral agreements, bringing the total number of trade and cooperation accords between the two East African neighbours to 25.

President Museveni was received at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by earlier on Wednesday by Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, E.G.H., Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, along with an Escort of Honour led by Hon. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, E.G.H., Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development.

The fresh agreements, signed during President Museveni’s visit to Nairobi, span a wide array of sectors, including tourism, property rights, fisheries, aquaculture, agriculture, transport, and investment promotion.

President Museveni was warmly received at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, E.G.H., Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs

The Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) show a shared commitment to deepening regional integration and unlocking economic potential for mutual benefit.

Overview of the Agreements:

1. Tourism Cooperation – Aimed at boosting the tourism sectors in both countries to attract more regional and international visitors.

2. Property Rights – Focused on building resilience for local governments and empowering informal women and youth traders in the greater Busia Metro region from 2025 to 2028.

3. Fisheries and Aquaculture – Establishes a joint framework for sustainable development and management of fisheries and aquaculture resources.

4. Agriculture and Animal Industry – Seeks to enhance cooperation in agricultural productivity and livestock development.

5. Transport Cooperation – Targets improvements in transport infrastructure and logistics, vital for trade facilitation.

6. Standards Bureau Cooperation – Strengthens institutional ties between the Kenya Bureau of Standards and Uganda National Bureau of Standards to harmonise quality controls.

7. Investment Promotion – Provides a platform for increased cross-border investments, innovation, and technological exchange.

During a joint press conference, President Museveni emphasised the centrality of production to national wealth, citing biblical wisdom to highlight Africa’s historical missteps:

“They left undone what they ought to have done and did what they ought not to have done.”

He argued that the prosperity of modern economies hinges on industrial and agricultural output.

“The more goods and services you produce, the wealthier you become. But a central question remains: who buys what you produce?” he posed, stressing the need for a regional approach to market expansion and consumer engagement.

President Museveni added that East Africa is “beginning to awaken,” with growing awareness around economic rationalisation and the power of intra-African trade.

President Ruto welcomed the Ugandan leader by reaffirming the enduring bonds between the two nations.

“My deliberations with President Museveni spanned an extensive range of bilateral, regional, and continental priorities,” he said.

“We reaffirmed our united stance on closer collaboration in key sectors such as infrastructure, trade, energy, security, and regional integration.”

He also highlighted the historical and cultural ties binding Kenya and Uganda, noting their shared ideals and ambitions within the East African Community (EAC).

“This occasion reflects the strength of our historical partnership, anchored in common ideals, deep respect, and a shared ambition for regional stability and progress.”

The new MoUs are expected to boost trade flows, streamline cross-border operations, and open up new investment avenues, reinforcing the strategic partnership between the two largest economies in the region.