KAMPALA, June 19 (NNN-KBC) — Kenya and Ugandan have signed a bilateral agreement that will facilitate the smooth flow of fish exports from Lake Turkana to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
A delegation from Kenya and Uganda led by Kenya Fisheries Principal Secretary Francis Owino and his Ugandan Agriculture counterpart Maj Gen David Kyomukama Saturday witnessed the flagging off of the first trucks at the Busia Customs point in Uganda.
“We believe that the smooth trade in fish from Lake Turkana, through Uganda to the Democratic Republic of Congo will not only increase the incomes of traders in the fish and fish products but also contribute to the economies of the 3 countries and East Africa as a region,” said Kyomukama.
Trade-in fish exports to DRC have been going on for many decades though, with intermittent disruptions occasioned by a misunderstanding between Kenya and Uganda on the source of the fish.
The signing of the framework eases the transportation of the commodity through Uganda to DRC without interference.
Kenyan fish traders operating in Busia town export fish to eastern parts of upper DR Congo that border Uganda. Their exports end up in Bukavu, Kisangani, Goma and other eastern DR Congo cities. — NNN-KBC
