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Rash protectionism and petty politics are hurting trade relations between Uganda and Kenya, which has been marred by a series of blockades on particular goods, chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development Odrek Rwabwogo, has said.

Kenya and Uganda have been at loggerheads over the import of key agricultural products such as eggs and milk powder.

Just last week, Kenya instituted a ban on sugar imports, which is expected to seriously impact the Uganda sugar sector.

“The laws are very clear, but in actual trading, we have push-and-pull and push back, because each country is trying to protect its jobs,” Mr Rwabwogo told Kenya’s Business Daily in an interview, noting: “It’s not a conflict - it is political constituencies that are entrenched in each of our countries that often interfere with good decision-making.”

Kenya and Uganda’s trade relations have frayed over the past five years amid a wave of disputes over products ranging from dairy to diesel.

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