Uganda, Kenya ink deal to facilitate fish trade without interference

Governments of Uganda and Kenya have struck a framework that will ease transit of fish and fish products from Lake Turkana to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Prior to this agreement, Kenyan fish traders have been facing trade barriers in exporting their fish which led them to hold peaceful demonstrations after their fish consignment weighing about 40 tonnes destined for DRC was confiscated by Uganda authorities in October last year.

The Ugandan Authorities claimed that the consignment that was confiscated was immature fish obtained from Lake Victoria from the Ugandan side. Part of the newly signed framework provides for a joint inspection of fish consignment by authorities from Kenya and Uganda at the Busia One Stop Border Post before proceeding to DRC.

Principal Secretary for Aquaculture, blue economy and fisheries Francis Owino, in signing the agreement noted that the journey for coming up with the framework started on March 1, 2022, when a delegation from both Kenya and Uganda visited Turkana to deliberate on the issue.

“I want to commend my colleague PS from Uganda for the very open, transparent, genuine and candid discussions that led to this document,” the PS said in a statement. Mr. Owino also noted that the framework will address the challenges that have been facing Kenyan fishermen.

He further thanked both parties involved in the candid discussions saying that the signing of the agreement is a milestone that will be of benefit to the region.

At the same time, the PS addressed the issue of confiscation of fish noting that the matter is being worked on amicably through the ministry of foreign affairs of both countries. “We are waiting for our sister country- Uganda to communicate back through that channel,” he said.

On his part, the Ugandan Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Fisheries Major General David Kasura urged fish traders to comply with the framework’s guidelines and conduct their activities in a sustainable manner.

‘The purpose of the framework is to ensure that you utilize the fish resources in a sustainable way,’ he said, observing that Ugandans should also partner with Kenyans to promote East Africa Community brotherliness.

However, Major Kasura said they are working with Kenya through meetings with Victoria fisheries associations to combat the menace of illegal fishing. “We are moving towards joint enforcement of fisheries because the fish belongs to all of us,” Kasura stated.

In appreciation, the chairman of Busia cross-border fish traders Francis Akech lauded the two governments for the initiative to address the issue that was almost crippling fish trade between the two countries.

Part of the framework calls for joint inspection of the fish consignment by both Kenyan and Ugandan authorities at the Busia One-Stop Border Post before they proceed to their destination.