Monday 10th August 2015
JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED DURING THE STATE VISIT BY H. E. UHURU KENYATTA, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA
1. At the invitation of His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya and the First Lady, Mrs. Margaret Kenyatta paid a State Visit to Uganda from 8th-10th August, 2015.
2. The two Heads of State and their delegations held fruitful discussions on a number of issues of common interest at bilateral, regional and international levels. They expressed satisfaction at the strong bilateral relations existing between the two countries and reiterated their commitment to enhance further these relations.
3. President Museveni noted that Kenyan exports to Uganda are estimated at USD 700 million compared to imports worth USD 180 million, and commended President Kenyatta for implementing initiatives that would contribute to bridging the trade gap. The two Heads of State observed that bilateral trade has potential to grow further and reaffirmed their commitment to the free movement of goods, labour and services, including the elimination of all trade barriers.
4. The two Heads of State welcomed the establishment of the Uganda-Kenya Joint Ministerial Commission as an important framework for deepening and expanding bilateral cooperation to a higher and more comprehensive level.
5. At the instruction of the two Heads of State, the delegations met at Ministerial level and discussed a range of bilateral issues. They decided to concretize agreed areas within the framework of the Joint Ministerial Commission.
6. President Museveni reiterated Uganda’s position to develop her oil refinery, noting that protracted engagement with the industry on the importance of an oil refinery for Uganda had delayed commercialization of the country’s petroleum resources.
7. On development of a crude oil export pipeline, the two Heads of State noted that oil in Uganda was discovered 9 years ago and therefore development of a crude oil export pipeline needed to be implemented expeditiously to avoid any further delay in commercializing the petroleum resources. On the refined products pipeline from Mombasa via Eldoret to Kampala, the Heads of State agreed to develop a reverse flow petroleum product pipeline capable of transporting imported petroleum products to Uganda and also from the refinery in Uganda to Kenya.
8. President Museveni expressed his government’s desire to develop the least cost route to transport her oil to the East African coast. In this regard, the two Heads of State agreed on the use of the Northern Route i.e. Hoima-Lokichar-Lamu for the development of crude oil pipeline, subject to the Government of Kenya guaranteeing the following;
· Security on the Kenya side of the pipeline
· Financing of the Project
· Transit fees/Tariffs in any case not higher than would be payable on an alternative route
· Implementation of the Project without further delay
9. The two Heads of State agreed that regional integration is key to shared prosperity, expressed their deep commitment to integration of the East African Community and reaffirmed their support towards realization of the East African Political Federation.
10. The two Heads of State exchanged views on the political and security developments in the region. In this regard, they reaffirmed their commitment to continue working together with the respective Governments and other stakeholders in resolving outstanding challenges in Somalia, South Sudan and Burundi.
11. The two Heads of State expressed their concern on the continuing peace and security challenges in the region, particularly the emergence of extremism and terrorism. They agreed to intensify joint efforts to counter terrorism.
12. During his visit, President Uhuru Kenyatta toured CIPLA Quality Chemical Industries, a Pharmaceutical plant located in Kampala manufacturing Anti-Retrovirals (ARVs) and Anti-Malarial drugs. He applauded the state of the art facility being run by Ugandan professionals and reiterated the desire to support important industries such as CIPLA which are located in the region and to be treated as domestic industries for purposes of procurement.
13. President Uhuru Kenyatta addressed a Business Forum which was attended by the private sector from the two countries. He encouraged the use of Forums to strengthen economic cooperation through establishing networks and partnerships to stimulate innovation and competitiveness in businesses. President Kenyatta witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UNCCI) and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) to promote common interests
14. On the third day of his visit His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta made a historic address to the Parliament of Uganda where he stressed the need to deepen East African integration. His Excellency urged East Africans to work together for shared prosperity
15. President Museveni expressed his appreciation particularly to Kenya and other nations that supported Uganda to overcome her past challenges.
16. His Excellency, President Uhuru Kenyatta, expressed his appreciation to the Government and the People of the Republic of Uganda for the warm welcome and hospitality which was accorded to him and his delegation.
17. His Excellency, President Uhuru Kenyatta extended an invitation to His Excellency, President Yoweri Museveni to visit Kenya on a date to be mutually determined through diplomatic channels.
18. President Museveni gladly accepted the invitation.
Done on 10th August, 2015 at Entebbe, Uganda
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