HOIMA, 20 April 2025 – Leaders from the Bunyoro Subregion, home to Uganda’s burgeoning oil and gas sector, have urged Partner States of the East African Community [EAC] to eliminate non-tariff barriers to enable local suppliers and farmers to access regional markets freely.
The appeal was made during a recent consultative meeting held at Kitara Secondary School in Hoima City between officials from the Ministry of East African Community Affairs, city leaders, and technical staff from Hoima City.
Speaking at the meeting, which was organised by the Ministry of EAC Affairs, Hoima City Mayor , Brian Kaboyo said local suppliers and farmers continue to face challenges accessing the EAC market due to existing restrictions.
He highlighted that some EAC member states still do not allow entry with National Identity Cards, even though these are legally recognised travel documents within the region.
“There is a need for the Ministry of EAC Affairs to address these challenges to ensure that farmers and traders who wish to conduct business across EAC countries can do so without unnecessary interruptions,” Kaboyo said.
He added that the implementation of the EAC Common Market Protocol has been inconsistent among member states, despite its intention to create a single market by eliminating tariffs and non-tariff barriers.
“If we are truly integrating, then it should be simple for someone to move from Uganda with just a National Identity Card and cross the border. Goods should be able to move freely too. People should feel that integration is making their lives easier. For example, being able to travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo without needing a visa and exporting their products smoothly. That’s when integration will start to make sense to the common person,” he stressed.
Despite the challenges, Kaboyo commended the Ministry of EAC Affairs for engaging the region’s stakeholders, noting that such initiatives will help people in Bunyoro understand the benefits of regional integration.
“This kind of community engagement can help our people access wider markets. It opens doors for cross-border trade, and more importantly, it teaches us how to take advantage of the opportunities that come with integration,” he said.
Nasser Rwaigwera, a businessman from Hoima City, emphasised the need to address language barriers. While Swahili is widely spoken across EAC countries, many Ugandans, particularly in Bunyoro, struggle with the language.
He called on the Ministry of EAC Affairs and the Ugandan government to expedite efforts to promote Swahili learning to ensure traders can communicate effectively within the region.
In response, Ojara Leo Kizito, a Commissioner from the Ministry of EAC Affairs, said that EAC member states have held multiple discussions to address non-tariff barriers. He added that efforts are underway to harmonise tax systems and policies across the region to promote free trade.
Regarding the language barrier, Ojara noted that the Ugandan government has launched deliberate initiatives to promote Swahili learning from the grassroots level.
He also addressed the issue of National Identity Cards, stating that the government has engaged member states that currently do not permit cross-border movement with only a National ID, urging them to accept the document.
“For instance, Rwanda previously rejected expired National Identity Cards. However, the National Identification and Registration Authority [NIRA] is now fast-tracking the renewal process to resolve this issue,” he added.
Commenting on the long-awaited EAC single currency, Ojara said that although the initial goal was to introduce it by 2024, the timeline has been pushed to 2031. Once implemented, the single currency is expected to reduce the financial losses people incur due to currency exchange during cross-border trade.
https://thecooperator.news/eac-regional-quality-award-2025-edition-launched-in-arusha/
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