Uganda and Kenya have signed a joint document that outlines the way forward to clear border truck back log.
The resolution was made by a delegation from Uganda led by the Works and Transport Minister, Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, while the Kenyan delegation was led by Mr James Macharia, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure.
According to the document, “Kenya and Uganda police are directed to investigate allegations of corruption and extortion and stop all forms of harassment of truck drivers in both countries.”
“Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) are directed to integrate the scanner systems for both countries to enable faster movement of trucks through the two borders,” the statement further reads.
In the resolution read out by Gen Katumba, weigh bridges on the Malaba-Jinja highway are suspended for one week, while empty trucks and those carrying perishables less than seven tonnes are directed to pass through Lwakhakha border.
Gen Katumba also applauded the Customs officers for the quick verification exercise.
Among other resolutions agreed upon included integration of scanner systems on both Kenya and Uganda borders to enable faster analysis of cargo, Uganda Revenue Authority suspends verification of cargo at the station yard and forward such trucks to private trailer parking yards in Busia and Malaba, until the crisis is managed.
The memo also directs security agencies to reduce checks on highways for easy clearance, while KRA is to suspend scanning of Uganda-bound trucks at Malaba border until the crisis is sorted, among others.
The track drivers however pointed out that the major problem is on the Kenyan side. Mr Badru Kisitu, a truck driver, said whereas the resolutions have been made by the ministers, the scanner on the Kenyan side was too slow.
“Unless the scanner on the Kenyan side of the border in Busia is worked on and officers at both the Ugandan and Kenyan side are asked to work with dedication, the resolutions will remain on paper,” Mr Kisitu said.
The delegation said that the truck drivers concerns are genuine and are being worked on with urgency to see that the situation comes to normalcy in both countries. According to the delegation, fuel prices in Uganda should come to normal instantly with the flow of the fuel tankers.
