Last year, Uganda and Kenya collaboratively agreed to build the SGR from Naivasha in Kenya to Kampala City in Uganda simultaneously

The Uganda National Coordinator of the Northern Corridor Integration Projects (NCIPs), Ambassador Richard Kabonero has met with his Kenyan counterpart Abdi Dubat in Nairobi, Kenya, Chimp Corps report.

The duo held consultations on the coordination efforts of reviving the NCIPs, take stock of the progress of implementation of the 14th Summit Directives in preparation for the 15th NCIPs Summit, agree on action plan for convening of pending NCIPs Cluster meetings and review progress of implementation of the regional joint verification mechanism on status of the East Africa Tourism Visa (EATV) under the NCIPs Memorandum of Understanding.

The National Coordinators expressed satisfaction with the progress and commitment of the Partner States in reviving the NCIPs by convening of several Cluster meetings of the ICT and Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) chaired and coordinated by Uganda. 

Last year, Uganda and Kenya collaboratively agreed to build the SGR from Naivasha in Kenya to Kampala City in Uganda simultaneously. 

The Minister of Works and Transport Gen Katumba Wamala and his Kenyan counterpart Kipchumba Murkomen signed a joint communiqué in Mombasa, Kenya, outlining the financing and development plans for the SGR to Kampala and beyond.

 The SGR project coordinator in Uganda, Canon Perez Wamburu, revealed plans for Uganda to commence its construction in the upcoming financial year, starting in July, with resources allocated in the 2024/2025 budget.

Abdi commended Uganda for effectively coordinating and chairing the two Cluster meetings and the continued engagement with the Partner States on implementation of the Summit directives.

The National Coordinators agreed to convene the NCIPs National Coordinators’ meeting and pending Cluster meetings in May 2024 in Kampala in preparation for the 15th NCIPs Summit to be held later in the year. 

It was further agreed that Partner States will exchange the internal reconciliation reports on EATV ahead of the Regional Joint Verification meeting.

In attendance were senior officials responsible for NCIPs in Uganda and Kenya, including; Mr. Evans P. Aryabaha, Chargé D’Affaires a.i. at the Uganda High Commission in Nairobi and Dr. Alice Yalla, Secretary for Integration at the State Department for EAC in Kenya.