Business 18 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Kadaga Pushes for Ban on Kenyan Traders Buying Directly from Ugandan Farms
Rebecca Kadaga has instructed ministries to block Kenyan traders from purchasing food straight from Ugandan farmers' gardens, citing exploitation and poverty among locals. This move aims to protect farmers and regulate cross-border trade amid ongoing regional tensions. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/business/markets/kadaga-wants-ban-on-kenyan-traders-buying-food-from-farms--5395728
First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga, has directed the Ministries of Trade and Internal Affairs to create measures preventing Kenyan traders from buying produce directly from Ugandan farmers’ fields.
During a meeting in Kampala with cross-border women traders, Kadaga highlighted the unfairness of this practice, which exploits hospitable Ugandans and keeps farmers poor. She shared a personal example from her hotel in Kagulu, where Kenyans buy watermelons, urging border controls to stop them.
Kadaga criticized weaknesses in immigration and trade enforcement, calling for Kenyans to wait at the border if they want Ugandan goods.
This issue echoes past concerns. In 2023, Kenya’s High Commissioner Maj Gen George Owinoh visited northern Uganda to inspect food sources and proposed structured export systems to boost farmer incomes while addressing Kenya’s shortages. Amuru district officials also flagged poor handling by direct buyers, affecting food quality.
Kadaga noted complexities in regional integration, with countries like Kenya blocking Ugandan sugar and milk, and Tanzania restricting foreign businesses. She mentioned ongoing talks to lift Kenya’s bans by June.
The meeting followed up on 2025 discussions about policies impacting women in East Africa. Kadaga praised the women leaders for pushing inclusion and urged Ugandans to engage more in the East African Community.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)