The East African Business Council-EABC has issued a statement calling for bilateral dialogue to eliminate all outstanding Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) between Kenya and Uganda.
John Bosco Kaliisa, Executive Director of the council says in the statement: “Intra-East Africa trade is currently low at approximately 15% and this low figure is attributed due to the denials of preferential market to East African Community originating products.”
The paltry trade performance obtains in spite of Kenya and Uganda being signatory to the Customs Union Protocol that established the East Africa Community, and instead the two countries have continuously had bilateral trade disagreements.
Kenya has since 2019 locked horns with Uganda over the ban on Ugandan sugar, milk and maize, a breach of the Customs Union Protocol that established the East Africa Community single market, leading to a rise in the non-tariff barriers.
Prof Gerald Karyeija, an associate professor of public administration and management at the Uganda Management Institute says the unending trade war between Uganda and Kenya is killing the spirit of the East African community.
The Cabinet of Uganda has since agreed to ban selected agricultural products from Kenya in retaliation for the latter’s ban on Uganda’s poultry products.
Prof Karyeija says much as restrictions can be based on quality, specifications, and standards, it is wrong and unfair for Kenya to make blanket restrictions based on protecting and stabilizing its farmers who have been affected by the pandemic.
