The Kenyan fish exporters are demanding Shs22 billion in compensation from the Ugandan government over four trucks of transiting fish impounded and destroyed by security personnel nearly five years ago, warning of border disruptions if the funds are not paid.
The dispute traces back to an incident on 3 October 2021 at Kikorongo, near the Mpondwe border post, when Uganda’s Fisheries Protection Unit intercepted four Uganda registered trucks, UBH 606P, UAF 813L, UBA 893G and UBE 894Z, carrying fish valued at more than Shs2.7 billion. The unit confiscated and later destroyed the cargo, alleging it consisted of immature fish smuggled from Uganda’s Lake Kyoga into Kenya for repackaging. Exporters maintain the fish originated from Kenya’s Lake Turkana and was simply transiting through Uganda en route to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Busia Kenya Fish Transshipment Market’s Chairman, Hassan Omari called the disposal a breach of international transit law, noting that Ugandan goods routinely pass through Kenya unhindered. He said, “We pleaded with Ugandan authorities not to dispose of the fish, but they did not heed our pleas. We have several goods destined for East African Community countries that transit through Kenya and are never stopped. Should we also stop Ugandan goods on our roads?”
A joint bilateral verification team, led by Kenya’s former Principal Secretary for Fisheries Francis Owino and then Permanent Secretary in Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture David Kasura Kyomukama, visited Lake Turkana’s Kalokol shores following a December 2021 communique. The team confirmed the sun dried fish, comprising Nile tilapia, tiger fish and dwarf Nile perch, had indeed originated in Kenya, prompting a directive for Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to formally pursue reparations. Despite that finding, affected traders say Kampala has still not paid the Shs22 billion in cumulative compensation and damages nearly five years on.
Traders describe severe economic fallout from the delay. Affected exporter Ruben Hayofu warned that frustrated traders are preparing to forcibly close the Busia and Malaba border posts to block Ugandan transit cargo if payments remain stalled, adding that the financial strain has forced several peers out of business, triggered property foreclosures by banks and contributed to stress induced deaths among affected members. Former exporter Violet Owoko said losing her capital forced her to abandon the international trade route altogether, reducing her to selling small retail quantities locally to support her family.
