Kenya and Uganda have recommitted to implementation of bilateral relations as directed by presidents of the two countries in a bid to achieve shared prosperity, integration and mutual understanding.

This was ascertained during a three-day Kenya-Uganda delegates meeting of the Mid-Term Review of the Second Session of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in Nairobi.

Top of the agenda of the meeting was the extension of the standard gauge from Nairobi to Uganda.

The meeting co-chaired by the Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs Korir Singoei and his counterpart Vincent Bagiire Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda aimed at taking stock of the strides made after the presidential directives to unlock the gridlocks in the cooperation between the two countries.

The presidential directives were made during the signing of an eight-point new memoranda of understanding (MOUs) on July 30, 2025, at State House, Nairobi, aimed at building strong bilateral ties and bolstering development between the two countries.

President William Ruto and Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni inked the MOU whose key focus areas are transport, trade, mining, tourism, fisheries, agriculture, greater Busia metro project and quality assurance-collaboration between Kenya Bureau of Standards and Uganda National Bureau of

Standards to improve products standards and ease trade. Other sub-sets are peace and security, immigration, joint border control, cultural exchange, deepening trade and customs integration, elimination of tariffs and non-tariffs barriers (NTB’s), streamlining border procedures in order to reduce time used to cross the border.

The MOU also include extension of the standard gauge railway to Malaba, removing quotas and duties on goods originating in the two countries such as poultry and poultry products, dairy and dairy products, sugar, juices, pishori rice and furniture.

Dr Singoei reiterated that the strategic partnerships between the two countries represent the aspirations of millions of people by advancing the African continental agenda of the Africa we want.

“This session serves to inject fresh impetus to the implementation of presidential directives as guided in the joint communique of May 2024 and July 2025. The review is a reflection of our shared commitment to accountability, results and mutual benefit for our great countries,” Singoei said.

The PS reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to cooperating with Uganda towards a more effective partnerships that drive the economic development that benefit the two countries.

His counterpart, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Uganda Bagiire, said the MTR aims at achieving the finalisation of bilateral instruments in immigration, labour and anti-trafficking drug control, illicit arm trade and police cooperation to be signed at an agreed ministerial engagement.

“I congratulate the technical committee for the strides made towards the implementation of the presidential directives for socio-economic transformation and mutual prosperity for our two countries,” Bagiire said.

In a joint communique, the meeting commended the contribution of both countries towards advancing peace and security in the region despite mounting challenges and ever-evolving threats.

It also reaffirmed the strong ties between the Republics of Kenya and Uganda and pledged to enhance cooperation and strengthen regional institutions including the customs union, common market and currency.

The need for peaceful coexistence among border communities was also emphasised by both countries.

The ministers of trade from the two countries are expected to meet on August 29 and 30 in Uganda to discuss among other issues the unresolved NTB’s that continue to stifle trade between the two countries ahead of the Joint Trade Committee (JTC) in October 2025.

• Tell Media / KNA report / By Bethsheba Abuya