The port dispute talks between the trade ministers of Uganda and Kenya proved successful, which allowed for the flow of cargo through the Mombasa port to return to an efficient level.

Traders in the region can breathe a huge sigh of relief due to the talks between Ugandan minister David Wakikona and Kenya’s Moses Wetangula which resulted in a settlement of the recent trade stand-off.

The traders are also glad that a number of private container freight stations in Mombasa waived all storage charges for transit that could not be cleared for several weeks due to a trade stand-off over a cash bond that was imposed rather than the regular general bond.

The particular bond had been imposed by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) for transit vehicles of 2000cc and clearing and forwarding agents restricted to use particular insurance firms to get the bond.

Wakikona protested against the imposition of this particular cash bond after visiting the port and then called a meeting with Wetangula in Nairobi which resulted in the cargo being unlocked.”Things have returned to normal after the ministers met and the general bond was allowed for transit cargo. This reflects the spirit of the East African Community and we are happy,” Ugandan business representative in Mombasa William Kidima said.