Busia: Kenyan High Commissioner to Uganda, Joash Maangi, has called on the Busia County Government to strengthen its diplomatic relations with the Ugandan government to ensure peaceful coexistence and boost trade along the border. Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Busia Governor’s office, Ambassador Maangi emphasized that fostering such relations would open markets for Kenyan goods in foreign countries.
According to Kenya News Agency, Ambassador Maangi highlighted that Kenya imports goods through Mombasa, while Uganda relies on Malaba and Busia for their imports. He underscored the importance of maintaining a friendly working relationship at the national level and encouraged county leadership to mirror this approach. He noted the close relationship between the two countries’ presidents as a model for local communities to emulate.
The High Commissioner commended the Busia County security team for their effective security measures, mentioning that no security complaints have been raised by Ugandans in t
he past six months. This, he attributed to the successful cross-border engagement led by the County Commissioner. Ambassador Maangi also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of fishermen at Migingo and Port Victoria.
During his visit, the High Commissioner conducted a fact-finding mission to address issues facing Kenyans at the border. He later engaged with officials from the Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Coast Guard, Fishery, and county security team at Port Victoria, where he was briefed on challenges such as the unlawful arrest and detention of Kenyan fishermen by Ugandan security agencies.