Kenya, Uganda sign deal to ease movement of goods and people at border points
The Malaba and Busia border crossings are among the busiest in East Africa, linking Kenya with Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and other regional markets.
Kenya and Uganda have unveiled a coordinated plan to tackle congestion at the Malaba and Busia One-Stop Border Posts, after years of complaints from traders and travellers over slow clearance and long delays.
On Friday, August 29, 2025, Kenya’s Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui joined Uganda’s Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Wilson Mbadi, in a joint tour of the two busy entry points.
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The visit was aimed at tracing the root of the gridlock that has been disrupting cross-border movement.
“Congestion at the Kenya–Uganda border is hurting businesses on both sides. Today, together with Hon. Gen. Wilson Mbadi, Uganda’s Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, we inspected the Malaba and Busia One-Stop Border Posts to identify the causes of persistent delays,” CS Lee said in a statement shared on his official X account after the inspection.
The leaders admitted that the situation was not only slowing down trade but also undermining the free movement of people and goods within the East African Community (EAC).
“We have directed our teams to act in full coordination to decongest the borders and restore smooth movement of goods and people, true to the spirit of the EAC. These border points are vital lifelines for cross-border trade with Uganda and the wider region,” CS Lee added.
The Malaba and Busia border crossings are among the busiest in East Africa, linking Kenya with Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and other regional markets.
Businesses have long cited bureaucratic delays, repeated checks, and weak coordination among government agencies as the main drivers of congestion.
During the visit, the ministers, who were accompanied by PS Regina Ombam and PS Juma Mukhwana, pledged to put in place both short-term and long-term remedies.
Among the planned measures are harmonised customs procedures, improved border infrastructure, and closer cooperation among border management teams to ease movement across the two entry points.
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