Nairobi, Kenya – Kenya and Uganda have signed eight memoranda of understanding designed to strengthen bilateral cooperation across a range of sectors, including tourism, agriculture, transport and mining. The agreements were concluded on 30 July during the official visit of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and witnessed by Kenyan President William Ruto at State House Nairobi. Ruto said the pacts build on 17 existing agreements and will accelerate economic integration between the two East African neighbours.

The MoUs cover the development of the Greater Busia Metro, collaboration in livestock management, joint fisheries programmes, promotion of responsible mining, and an expansion of tourism partnerships. A transport and logistics agreement aims to modernise road and railway links, including extending the Standard Gauge Railway from Naivasha to Malaba and upgrading the Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit Road all the way to Uganda. The leaders also signed accords on standards and quality assurance to curb counterfeit goods and on investment promotion to encourage private sector involvement.

President Ruto said the transport MoU will improve the movement of people and goods, reduce travel times and support cross‑border trade. He noted that a new framework will foster collaboration between the Kenya Bureau of Standards and the Uganda National Bureau of Standards to eliminate substandard products. The agriculture and livestock agreement will deepen cooperation in veterinary services and crop health, while the fisheries pact will help both countries exploit the blue economy and regulate fishing on Lake Victoria.

The leaders also agreed to establish a joint steel plant, which Ruto described as the largest in the region. He said the project would reduce reliance on imported steel and create jobs for citizens on both sides of the border. President Museveni urged African nations to consolidate markets and strengthen local production, pointing to the United States as an example of how a large internal market can drive prosperity. Both leaders committed to resolving long‑standing disputes, including the status of Migingo Island, through dialogue.

The signing of the MoUs was hailed as a milestone for East African integration. Economists say the agreements will reduce non‑tariff barriers, streamline regulatory procedures and enhance infrastructure, paving the way for deeper cooperation under the East African Community’s Common Market Protocol. Joint committees will be established to oversee implementation, with progress reports expected at the next ministerial meetings later this year.