The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Gen. Jeje Odongo

The two ministers hastened to add that there is no trade war between the two countries, adding that Tanzania and Uganda only want to improve their trade relations to the maximum value of their bilateral worth.

Odongo and Mulamula revealed this shared position during the closure of a three-day Joint Permanent Commission ministerial meeting between Uganda and Tanzania. The meeting took place at Sheraton Hotel, Kampala.

The two ministers were addressing media reports of a trade war which reportedly erupted between Uganda and Tanzania.

Tanzania's Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Ambassador Liberata Mulamula Pulse Live Uganda

Media reports have been circulating regarding the assumed difficulties in the free flow of goods and services as well as the mode of their movement related thereto.

This along with the high charges on trucks from Uganda to Tanzania and Tanzania’s non-participation in the one area telecommunications network that enables the region to communicate using local charges instead of international rates, sparked reports of a trade spat.

On the question of the latter, the countries of the East African Community (EAC) made a joint commitment in 2014 to create one network area (ONA) for the five economies of the EAC (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda), with the benefits also being extended to South Sudan.

“There is no trade war between Uganda and Tanzania. But there are differences here and there which are being identified and rectified. The meetings are a process to resolve any emerging issues,” Odongo said.

Odongo added that the two countries had devised a rubric of processes to regulate trade activities going forward.

“We will expedite internal processes and sign MOUs that are outstanding,” Odongo said.

Mulamula concurred, saying that there are no trade wars between the two countries, adding that she is known as ‘Mama Momentum’ because she is assertive and her assertiveness will thus be brought to bear to ensure both countries benefit from what her and Odongo had agreed upon.

Vincent Bagiire, the Permanent Secretary at the foreign affairs ministry in Uganda, read out a joint communiqué prepared by the two countries.

In his statement, Bagiire said the two delegations discussed the issues affecting both countries with a cordiality which matched their willingness to work together in order to make sure trade is unfettered between Tanzania and Uganda.

Specifically, Bagiire said discussions centered on the implementation of decisions in specific sectors of bilateral cooperation including cooperation in areas of political and diplomatic issues, immigration, transport, trade, industry, energy, mineral development, agriculture, labour, tourism, water, environment, gender, social development, public service, cross border cooperation and boundary reaffirmation.

“The commission deliberated on peace and security matters which are crucial for advancing the social, economic development and transformation of the two countries,” Bagiire said.

Uganda and Tanzania have something of a special relationship.

The Uganda–Tanzania war (usually referred to in Uganda as the Liberation War) was fought between Uganda and Tanzania in 1978–1979, and led to the overthrow of Idi Amin’s regime.

It was agreed by both ministers that the next meeting will be held in Tanzania.