Kenyan President Dr. William Someo Ruto has said Uganda is the largest trading partner, a good neighbour, and Kenya’s historical ally.
President Ruto stated this on Thursday, May 16, 2024, while speaking during a joint media address with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda, who arrived in Kenya for a three-day state visit on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.
“We work very closely at the bilateral and multilateral levels, in the East African Community and the African Union,” said President Ruto.
He noted that the two presidents have used the visit to discuss matters of trade, security, and regional integration, among others.
In the same address, President Museveni emphasised the need to have one government for East Africa.
President Museveni said, “Our ultimate goal is to have one government for East Africa. We are one!”
Museveni also emphasised the need for free movement in all African countries.
“Africa is like a house; Kenya is the sitting room; Uganda is the bedroom, etc. Then why does one need permission to leave the bedroom for the sitting room (Visa)? There is no need for visas to travel anywhere in Africa; it should not happen,” Museveni said.
He further echoed the need to address strategic security through political and economic integration.
“Some people are on the moon, and they are looking at us like these insects that eat sugar! How can we (Africa) have this imbalance? We need to address strategic security through political and economic integration,” Museveni said.
He called upon African countries to specialise in comparative advantages by integrating regional markets.
“Africa is rich in countries but poor in everything else! North America has only three countries. Then why can’t we (Africa) specialise in comparative advantages by integrating our markets?” President Museveni queried.
The president’s visit aims at strengthening the longstanding bilateral relations between Uganda and Kenya and exploring new avenues for collaboration and mutual benefits.
This is the second state visit that Mr. Museveni has made in the past few weeks to Kenya.