The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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President William Ruto is set to meet Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in the coming days to resolve a diplomatic conflict arising from a dispute over fuel imports.
The neighboring country has taken legal action against Nairobi at the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) after Kenya rejected a request to use its pipeline for transporting fuel from the port of Mombasa directly to Kampala.
Peninah Malonza, the Cabinet Secretary for East African Community and Regional Development, confirmed the plans for high-level talks between Ruto and Museveni, emphasizing that the purpose of the meeting is to diplomatically address the disagreements and improve relations.
Malonza played down the dispute, asserting that each member state of the East African Community (EAC) is entitled to pursue its best trade interests based on democratic principles.
She mentioned a scheduled meeting between the two presidents and stated that Kenya would also explain its position during the next East African Community Heads of States Summit. However, she did not disclose the date and venue of the high-level meeting, and President Ruto’s itinerary is yet to be released by State House.
Malonza assured the public that there is no cause for alarm, as trade disagreements are considered normal, and countries relate to each other based on binding treaties and diplomatic protocols. She highlighted Kenya’s ongoing engagement with Uganda and all EAC partner states on trade matters, emphasizing the mutual benefit and promotion of welfare as the core objectives of the community.
Acknowledging Uganda as Kenya’s largest trading partner and a significant market for Kenyan oil, Malonza emphasized the historical positive relationship between Nairobi and Kampala. She noted that Uganda is a Group A market for Kenya’s oil, purchasing 90% of its oil from Kenya, making it natural for both countries to take a keen interest in each other’s affairs.
In November of the previous year, the High Court in Nairobi issued an injunction barring the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) from processing a license application from the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC).”
