Uganda, Kenya sign framework to facilitate fish trade without interference

This decision arose out of trade spat over fish between the two countries in October last year when Ugandan security officers confiscated about 300 tonnes of fish belonging to Kenyan traders that was enroute to DRC.

After that incident, the ministers of Agriculture of both countries, under the instructions of the presidents of both Uganda and Kenya, agreed to meet to iron out any issues hampering the fish trade.

Thus, in March this year, Maj Gen David Kasura-Kyomukama, the permanent secretary of Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture along with Kenya’s Fisheries principal secretary, Dr Francis Owino, and other officials went on a joint mission to Lake Turkana and Busia.

This mission was geared towards witnessing the type and size of fish harvested and also how the fish is processed and packed in lorries before being transported to Busia enroute to DRC.

On the back of this joint mission, the two countries drafted a framework enabling the transit of fish from Kenya through Uganda to DRC without any interference.

During the signing of this framework at Busia, Kasura said that all the factors that have been standing in the way of the fish trade have been addressed through deliberations with all stakeholders.

It was agreed that as long as the fish is backed by the relevant documentation, mutually agreed upon by the two countries, nobody can inhibit its transit.

“We believe that the smooth trade in fish from Lake Turkana through Uganda to DRC will not only increase the incomes of traders in the fish and fish products but also contribute to the economies of the three countries and the East African as a region.”

Kasura further assured Ugandan traders that the framework will not affect the fish trade in Uganda because the fish in transit is for Kenya and not Uganda. He added that this framework will stimulate business and should be embraced by the fish traders.

“I also urge the fish traders to carryout fishing in a sustainable way, and not over exploit it. The purpose of the framework is not to interfere in the fish trade but to ensure that the traders exploit the fishing resources sustainability,” Kasura added.

Dr Francis Owino, the principal secretary of Kenya’s State Department for Fisheries, said they seek to use this framework to ensure that their traders can be able to move, trade and transact in the fish business without any further encumbrances.