Legislators have expressed their displeasure with the decision by Kenya to ban maize imports from Uganda in the parliamentary session that happened on Tuesday.

During the session, some Members of Parliament are suggested that the government responds in kind. Busia Municipality’s Godfrey Macho has asked government to block all the imports from Kenya as a response to the ban.

“The spirit of East Africa is under attack. This is not the first ban of Ugandan products by Kenya, but rather one among the many like the ban on Milk and sugarcane,” Macho told the August house.

Some of the legislators referred to the Kenya ban of maize as unfair treatment of Ugandan traders.

“The move by the Kenyan government to ban maize import from Uganda and previously Sugarcane is double Jeopardy to the people of Bugweri County and Uganda at Large. The government should take action” Hon Abdu Katuntu, MP, Bugweri county.  

Last Friday, Kenya banned importation of maize from Uganda and Tanzania, noting there had been an acute increase in chronic aflatoxin-related illnesses, some of which have resulted into death.

Aflatoxins are poisonous substances produced by certain kinds of fungi (moulds) that are found naturally all over the world; they can contaminate food crops and pose a serious health threat to humans and livestock. Aflatoxins also pose a significant economic burden, causing an estimated 25% or more of the world’s food crops to be destroyed annually (Source: WHO)

Uganda exports at least 90 per cent of its maize to Kenya with a cumulative average of 330,620 tonnes. Therefore, the ban on maize will see Uganda lose an average of $121m (Shs447b) in annual revenue, according to data from Bank of Uganda

Uganda has been a victim of trade blockades, many of which border on trade barriers and protectionists tendencies. The blockades, especially by East African member states, which are bound by EAC protocols, have created problems for Uganda’s export sector,  losing billions in foreign exchange in the process.

To close the debate, the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga directed the Leader of Government Business to come to Parliament on Wednesday and brief the country on what action is being taken to address the recent ban of Uganda maize by Kenya

Meanwhile, Hon Latif Ssebaggala has appealed to the President to review the curfew hours as the Muslim community approaches the holy month of Ramadan