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| Ugandan President and his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta during the commissioning of the one stop border post at Busia (Photo: Daily Monitor) |
President Museveni and his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru
Kenyatta on Saturday commissioned the one-stop border post at Busia.
Kenyatta on Saturday commissioned the one-stop border post at Busia.
According to Museveni, the border will boost trade
between the two countries and speed up the integration process for East African
states.
between the two countries and speed up the integration process for East African
states.
He reiterated that the people of East Africa should
move freely and do business in any East Africa state without fear.
move freely and do business in any East Africa state without fear.
The border post worth $12 million (Shs44 billion) was
constructed by Cross -border business advisory organization, Trade Mark East
Africa (TMEA) with funding from UK Department of International Development
(DFID) and the Global Affairs, Canada.
constructed by Cross -border business advisory organization, Trade Mark East
Africa (TMEA) with funding from UK Department of International Development
(DFID) and the Global Affairs, Canada.
It has combined the traditionally two-stop borders
into one, as well as consolidated other border control functions into shared
spaces between the two countries for exit and entry points.
into one, as well as consolidated other border control functions into shared
spaces between the two countries for exit and entry points.
“I repeat what I said while swearing in, that we
want the people of East Africa to move across the borders put up by
colonialists to do business freely and if anyone wants to buy a Shamba (land)
in any country, should be free to do so without any problems,” President
Uhuru said.
want the people of East Africa to move across the borders put up by
colonialists to do business freely and if anyone wants to buy a Shamba (land)
in any country, should be free to do so without any problems,” President
Uhuru said.
President Uhuru said as heads of state, they want to
see people in East Africa countries come together.
see people in East Africa countries come together.
“The people of East Africa are one and it is
wrong for a brother living in Uganda to get permission to visit the sister in
Kenya and vice versa,” he added.
wrong for a brother living in Uganda to get permission to visit the sister in
Kenya and vice versa,” he added.
He said that when united, the region can be able
compete with economic giants like India, China among other countries.
compete with economic giants like India, China among other countries.
“We want to put similar spots across all border
points in the region and bring people together. By doing so, we will also be
fighting insecurity,” he said, adding that the East African Federation is
a uniting factor for the people of East Africa.
points in the region and bring people together. By doing so, we will also be
fighting insecurity,” he said, adding that the East African Federation is
a uniting factor for the people of East Africa.
The function was attended by among others; Foreign
Affairs minister Sam Kutesa, IGP Kale Kayihura and ministers from Kenya,
Tanzania and Rwanda.
Affairs minister Sam Kutesa, IGP Kale Kayihura and ministers from Kenya,
Tanzania and Rwanda.
Busia border is Uganda’s second busiest point after
Malaba. It handles human and cargo to and from Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan
and DRC.
Malaba. It handles human and cargo to and from Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan
and DRC.
