eastnews.co.ug
Members of Parliament have reacted angrily to the action taken by Kenya to deny Uganda’s sugar cane.
Speaking at the plenary yesterday, the Member of Parliament for Busia Municipality, Geoffrey Macho revealed to the house that over 100 trucks full of raw sugar cane were parked at the border following an instruction by Mr Peter Munya, the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture that the cane should not be allowed into the country.
Following this revelation a number of MPs wondered why Kenya has of late tended to stop Ugandan exports.
“First, it was our milk, now it is sugarcane. Minister of Trade why is it that Kenya continues to do this and we remain quiet?” Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga asked.
Many other MPs suggested that Uganda should just stop Kenyan imports so that the neighboring country begins to respect Uganda.
The debate on the motion was however deferred to today with Kadaga guiding Parliament to move a motion so that their Kenyan counterparts get to know that Ugandan MPs are not happy.
“Yes. Members tomorrow (today) we should move a motion of displeasure such that my counterpart Hon. Muturi in Kenya hears,” Kadaga ruled.
In February early this year, tensions again grew high after Kenya seized and later banned Uganda’s milk products. The first to be affected was Pearl Dairies, which produces Lato Milk then Lakeside Dairies producers of Dairy Top milk.
Members of Parliament also want the Minister of East African Affairs to update the House on the progress of the East African Union.
