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Dairy processors from Uganda have accused the Kenya government of denying them permits to expert dairy products.  

Uganda Dairy Development Authority (DDA) confirmed that Kenyan authorities have reduced the number of export permits being issued to Uganda’s powdered milk.

The claim by the Authority comes about four months after Kenya and Uganda agreed that a ban on agricultural produce be lifted as part of improving trade relations between the two countries.

Powdered milk

Kenya dairy industry is experiencing increased milk production two months after the onset of long rains.  Samson Akankiza, executive director of DDA said at the weekend that Kenyan authorities have reduced issuing permits for powdered milk by about 20 per cent.

“I don’t have figures off-head but the reduction is about 20 per cent. Other products are getting permits except milk powder but the market is still open and Uganda milk players are exporting products there,” said Akankiza.  

The claimed reduction on export permits contradicts a lift of agricultural produce from Uganda by the President William Ruto government in early February this year.  

Kenya’s Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria met Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni where the two discussed ways on improving trade relations between the two neighbours. 

“We move towards the tripartite free trade agreement and the merger of EAC, Comesa and SADC, Kenya and Uganda will walk that journey together and ultimately into the African Continental Free Trade Area  (AFTCA),” Kuria said after meeting Museveni. 

Former administration under Uhuru Kenyatta slapped the ban on the products in 2021.   Last month Cooperative and Micro and Small Enterprise Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui recently stated that the government will spend significant resources to mop up expected increased milk due to the ongoing long rains. 

Chelugui stated that the New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (NKCC) recently received Sh0.7 billion under the 2022/23 supplementary budget which is part of Sh3.8 billion earmarked to finance the upgrading of the company in the current and 2023/24 financial year.

“We recently got approval from the cabinet to continue modernising the NKCC as part of ensuring locally produced milk is well managed. So far the government has finished rehabilitating Dandora, Kitale and Kigannjo processing plants,” the CS said.