Uganda and Kenya’s New Push for Cross-Border Trade, Security, and Regional Integration
Kampala / Jinja
Leaders of Uganda–Kenya Joint Border Commission (JBC) convened their 14th session this week at the Source of the Nile Hotel in Jinja, with both Kampala and Nairobi reaffirming their determination to strengthen bilateral cooperation on border management, trade facilitation, security, immigration, public-health coordination, and community development along the common boundary. Uganda’s delegation was led by the head of Regional Peace and Security at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while Kenya’s delegation came from the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration.
During the meeting, delegates committed to harmonising clearance procedures, improving border infrastructure, and enhancing service delivery for borderland communities. They emphasised that improved coordination would benefit trade, cross-border movement, livestock farming, environmental management, and public-health interventions. The session builds on directives issued by both heads of state in July 2025, aimed at deepening economic and social integration between the two countries.
Why it matters
Uganda and Kenya share a long land boundary that supports significant trade, movement of people, and cross-border livelihoods. Strengthening border governance and cooperation can reduce bottlenecks, lower trade costs, and foster economic growth — particularly for border communities. Improved security and harmonised immigration and customs procedures could also curb smuggling, human trafficking, and cross-border crime, while enabling easier access to markets, services and mobility for citizens on both sides. This cooperation is a tangible step toward deeper regional integration under the East African Community (EAC), offering prospects for smoother trade, shared infrastructure, and increased stability in the region.
What to watch
Whether the JBC translates its commitments into concrete action: timely upgrades at border posts, streamlined clearance systems, and sustained coordination on trade, immigration, health and security. Monitor progress on agreed-upon infrastructure projects — including roads, border facilities, and interoperability of transport links. Watch whether cross-border trade volumes and ease of movement improve for traders, pastoralists and commuters, and whether small border communities benefit. Also important: whether public-health and environmental cooperation (such as livestock movement regulation, disease surveillance) becomes more robust under the new cooperation framework.
