The Ugandan government has backed proposals by the County Government of Busia to harmonize tax paid by traders from Kenya and Uganda.
Currently, there several trade barriers due to failure to observe the East African Common Market Protocol.
Nine MPs from Uganda and the Ugandan High Commissioner to Kenya Phiiby Otaala were on a four-day tour of the border counties to assess the impact of EAC integration process.
Led by Busia County Deputy Governor Moses Mulomi and County Commissioner Jacob Narengo, the Busia delegation cited numerous challenges that have continued to negate the spirit of the East African Integration process.
Ms Otaala thanked Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong for providing an enabling environment for Ugandan businessmen to trade.
Mulomi raised concerns over tax differences between Kenya and Uganda that have led to many businessmen in Kenya closing shop.
He said several residents’ cross to Uganda in search of cheaper goods and services.
Mulomi said hotel business on the Kenyan side of the border was at its lowest since majority of Kenyans flock to Uganda to enjoy cheap beer.
Beer retails at kSh100 in Uganda.
He added that many Ugandans seek treatment at Busia County Referral Hospital.
The committee chairman Hood Katuramu said students from Kenya and Uganda should sit for joint exams.
He regretted that the East African Community broke up in 1977.
Former Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki is an alumnus of Marekere University while Ugandas Yoweri Museveni is an alumnus of Dare Salam University.
Hon Jack Wamanga (Mbale Municipality) said trade between Kenya and Uganda stands at 43 per cent which is the highest in the region.
Nambeshe John Baptist (Manjiya County, Bududa District) said EAC entity is top-down, an indication that it’s at the mercy of leaders, noting that the EAC protocol is working in a few countries like Uganda where Kenyans enjoy job opportunities due to non-restriction on work permits.
“I was denied an opportunity to open an account by a Kenyan bank, a departure from the norms of the EAC; it’s also easy to access Kenyan currency in Ugandan forex bureaus unlike in Kenya,” he said.
Hon Latif Sebaggala Sengedo (Kawempe North) said residents bordering Lake Victoria should stop overfishing.
Judith Alyek (Kole District MP) said there should be deeper and wider integration to realize economic growth.