KENYA AND UGANDA AGREE ON PETROLEUM PRODUCT IMPORTS AND TRANSPORTATION

An agreement was inked on Thursday between Kenya and Uganda on the importation and transit of petroleum products between the two nations. 

Uganda will be permitted to import refined petroleum products straight from the producing nations, according to President William Ruto.

President Ruto said, "We have just witnessed this agreement which enables the Uganda National Oil Company Ltd to import refined petroleum commodities directly from producer jurisdictions thus bringing to an end the challenges faced by the sector in Uganda," during his State Visit with President Yoweri Museveni on Thursday at State House Nairobi. 

President Ruto explained that during the Joint Ministerial Commission meeting before the State Visit, seven further memoranda of understanding were signed earlier in the week in Kampala. 

He expressed his confidence that these accords will solidify the two nations' close relationship and set it on a "transformative trajectory." 

"As leaders, we are dedicated to carrying out all of our responsibilities so that our people and countries can fully benefit," he declared.

The trade ministers of both nations were instructed by the two presidents to meet and address any remaining obstacles to trade.

President Ruto stated, "The meeting also emphasized the importance of extending the Standard Gauge Railway as an efficient and sustainable infrastructure for the transportation of goods from Naivasha to Malaba and Kampala and DRC." 

He emphasized that the ministers of the two nations have been directed to take immediate action, mobilize funding, and provide a progress report by the end of this year to execute the shared infrastructure throughout the region.

"We recognize that the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the East African Community, and other regional organizations are the cornerstones for our countries' greater integration at the continental and global levels, and President Museveni and I recognized the benefits and power of our close coordination concerning these organizations," he said.

President Ruto expressed his gratitude to the leader of Uganda for his contribution to regional unity.

"President Museveni's contributions and unselfish dedication to constructing a strong East African Community and the strategy to transform it into a federation of shared vision and values are greatly appreciated," the speaker declared.

According to President Ruto, the two countries have inked agreements that would guarantee information sharing and harmonize the structures and curriculum of diplomatic training. "We now have a memorandum of understanding to anchor cooperation between our Foreign Service institutions," he stated.

A Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation on Public Service Management and Development was also signed; its goal is to improve service delivery. 

"To enhance our youth's potential, we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote youth cooperation. This requires both countries to develop creative national policies and youth-focused programs," the speaker added.

President Ruto further emphasized that the fact that Kenya and Uganda have an MOU on sports cooperation shows how seriously they take the development, promotion, and mobilization of capital to realize the full potential of the sports industry. 

He stated that the deal is appropriate since it lays the foundation for Tanzania, the two nations, and their joint hosting of the 2027 African Cup of Nations.

"We also have a tool to direct our strategic collaboration in training, education, and science research, in addition to memorandums of understanding in the small and medium-sized business sector, gender equality, and women's empowerment," stated President Ruto.

President Museveni emphasized that the two nations must remove any obstacles preventing the growth of commerce. 

He declared, "We should remove obstacles that impede trade not just between Kenya and Uganda but also throughout East Africa and Africa." 

According to President Museveni, for shared prosperity, the East African Community and all of Africa must advance modern economic and free market principles.

He declared, "We need to strengthen strategic security through political integration in addition to economic integration for prosperity."