By Chris Muhizi for MCN.
Kenya and Uganda announced plans to upgrade the Lwakhakha one-stop border station in Bungoma in order to minimize traffic at the main international border crossing points at Busia and Malaba. “The two new border crossings will improve connectivity and expand commercial opportunities for the area. We are increasing staff to improve services at the Customs posts, Omollo said.
In an effort to modernize the Suam crossing, the Ugandan government has renovated the Suam-Bukwo-Kapchorwa road, which should help the local economy.
According to Sudi Mwatela, the chair of the Kenya Long Distance Truck Drivers and Allied Workers’ Union, the road restoration project would help to relieve congestion at the frequently congested border crossings at Busia and Malaba.
The road will be cleared, but we ask that safety precautions be put in place on the Ugandan side because it is extremely steep and dangerous. Mr. Mwatela warned The EastAfrican, a news source specializing in stories from East Africa, that if we are not careful, we could end up losing a lot of lives.
Kenyan and Ugandan governments are behind the project that the African Finance Development Bank is funding, and China State Engineering Construction Corporation is the main contractor. The East African region, including South Sudan and Djibouti, will be opened up, facilitating trade between our two nations. After an examination, Omollo said, “We anticipate it will grow our cross-border business.”
The border crossing station would cost Ksh100 million ($700,000), and it would house immigration, customs, security, and sanitary checks all in one location. The Kitale-Suam road and the post were upgraded by separate businesses, and completion is expected next month.
Businessmen from Kenya and Uganda who utilize the common border crossings at Malaba and Busia may have another alternative for transferring their goods as of the beginning of next month thanks to the two countries’ plans to establish a second Customs station at Suam.
The Suam one-stop border Customs and immigration post would become the third such facility between the two countries after collaboration between the two countries turned it into a one-stop border post.