In a significant move aimed at bolstering regional economic integration, Kenya and Uganda have signed a tripartite agreement on the importation and transit of petroleum products through both countries. The agreement was signed during Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni's State Visit to Nairobi, hosted by Kenyan President H.E Dr. William Ruto at the Nairobi State House.

H.E President Dr. William Ruto highlighted the agreement's significance, noting that it will allow Uganda to import refined petroleum directly from producer countries. "We have just witnessed this agreement which enables the Uganda National Oil Company Ltd to import refined petroleum commodities directly from producer jurisdictions thus bringing to an end the challenges faced by the sector in Uganda," he stated.

Earlier in the week, seven additional memoranda of understanding were signed in Kampala during the Joint Ministerial Commission meeting, preceding the State Visit. H.E President Ruto expressed confidence that these agreements would strengthen the relationship between the two nations and set it on a "transformative trajectory."

The two presidents emphasized the need to extend the Standard Gauge Railway from Naivasha to Malaba and further into Kampala and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as a crucial infrastructure project for efficient goods transportation. They instructed their ministers to mobilize resources and report on the progress by the end of the year.

H.E President William Ruto acknowledged President Museveni's role in regional integration efforts, appreciating his dedication to building a strong East African Community. "I appreciate, with tremendous gratitude, President Museveni’s contributions and selfless dedication to building a robust East African Community and the plan to transition it into a federation of shared vision and values," he said.

The agreements signed also include a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation between Foreign Service institutions, aimed at harmonizing diplomatic training and enhancing knowledge exchange. Other MoUs focus on public service management, youth affairs, sports cooperation, education, training, scientific research, small and medium-sized enterprises, and gender equality and women’s empowerment.

H.E President Museveni stressed the importance of removing barriers to trade not just between Kenya and Uganda, but across East Africa and the continent. "We should eliminate barriers which hinder trade not only between Kenya and Uganda, but also East Africa and Africa as a whole," he remarked.

H.E President Museveni underscored the need for deeper economic integration and strategic security through political unity within the East African Community and across Africa. "Apart from the economic integration for prosperity, we need to strengthen strategic security through political integration," he concluded.