President Museveni to ride SGR from Mombasa to Nairobi

MOMBASA, KENYA: President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni have agreed on a number of issues aimed at improving the relations between the two neighboring countries.

Meeting in Mombasa on Wednesday, the two discussed at length issues relating to security, border, and transport. President Uhuru said there would be more border posts between the neighbouring countries to facilitate movement and open up markets for the benefit of citizens.

“The Busia border post has served its purpose and we have witnessed more fruits from that entry point, but time has now come to open up more entry points along our borders,” he said noting that the move will also deal with illegal movements witnessed before between the two countries.

On Migingo Island, President Uhuru noted that a commission has been tasked to look at the entire length of the border to conclude the matter amicably. He noted that the two countries are also working on how to develop resources of Lake Victoria, which will also see fishing being done, is sustainable.

The visiting Ugandan President hailed Kenya for developments at the port and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which has significantly reduced time cargo, is transported from Mombasa to Uganda.

On a light touch, Museveni attributed the efficiency at the Port and entire transport to President Uhuru’s biases on business matters. “Your Excellency, the efficiency we are witnessing currently could be because of your business background; before your time, we had to beg for cargo to be moved to Uganda, the then officials thought they were doing Uganda favour without knowing that they were only sabotaging the two economies,” said Museveni.

Museveni noted that the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway to Uganda would further improve trade between the two countries noting that once complete, it will only take a record 24 hours for goods to be transported from Mombasa to Kampala.

“It will be suicidal if the line between Mombasa to Uganda is not fast-tracked” he noted. He accepted President Uhuru’s invitation to ride on SGR from Mombasa to Nairobi on Thursday, a journey that will take less than five hours.

On security, Museveni said a solution has to be found to ensure the region remains peaceful. He said they will continue with the discussions on the matter and also involve like-minded partners to pacify the region.

Museveni rooted for more trade within the region and called for creativity to ensure money is not spent on imports.