Malaba Border Gridlock: URA Cargo Seal Rule Sparks Massive Truck Delays

The Malaba border crossing, a vital hub for East African trade, has become a major bottleneck due to a new directive from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA). A staggering 35-kilometre traffic jam now stretches into Kenya, with hundreds of trucks experiencing severe delays.

Transporters, drivers, and clearing agents are pointing fingers at the URA’s decision to reintroduce metallic electronic cargo seals. This revised procedure requires every truck to be fitted with an additional metallic seal at the border before entering Uganda, significantly slowing down the clearance process for each vehicle.

Previously, cargo was sealed electronically at the point of loading. The new system has drastically reduced the number of trucks processed daily, from between 1,500 and 1,600 down to approximately 750, according to industry officials. This has led to drivers being stranded for days, facing insecurity, and lacking basic necessities like food and sanitation.

“We have nowhere to eat, nowhere to sleep, and nowhere to help ourselves. We are suffering,” lamented truck driver Samuel Njoroke. The prolonged delays also increase the risk of accidents due to driver fatigue and threaten the spoilage of perishable goods, causing substantial financial losses.

The URA defended the policy, stating it was reinstated to combat a rise in cargo theft that occurred when the seals were temporarily suspended. However, transporters and clearing agents have rejected assurances of quick resolution and are calling for the immediate suspension of the directive, emphasizing the need for prior consultation on such policy changes.

Industry representatives have warned that if the issue is not resolved within days, transporters may be forced to suspend operations, potentially disrupting trade along the critical Northern Corridor. This route is essential for connecting the Port of Mombasa to several landlocked East African nations.

Source: Nile Post