Truck Movement Resumes at Malaba, Busia Borders After Drivers Call Off Strike

By Gabriel Oligo and Lazima Wangadiya.

Truck movement has resumed at the Malaba and Busia border points after striking truck drivers called off a protest that had disrupted cross-border trade and traffic between Uganda and Kenya.

The drivers began the strike on Sunday at around 4:00 PM in protest against the arrest of their leader, Sudi Kauli Mwatela, the chairperson of the Long Distance Drivers Union.

Mwatela was reportedly arrested by Ugandan security personnel at Elegu border town over allegations of inciting violence.

His arrest angered the drivers, who responded by parking and abandoning their trucks at the entry points of the borders, effectively blocking access into and out of the country.

The strike, which resulted in long queues of cargo trucks on both sides of the border, was called off on Monday afternoon after Ugandan authorities released and handed over Mwatela to Kenyan authorities, as demanded by the drivers.

The truck drivers had accused border security officials, particularly from Uganda and South Sudan, of harassing and mistreating Kenyan drivers operating along the regional trade corridor.

While handing over the drivers’ leader at the Malaba border point, Tororo Deputy Resident District Commissioner Albert Amula called for calm among the drivers and acknowledged the critical role they play in international trade.

“It is not true that Mr. Sudi, your leader, was arrested, but he was only being held to explain why trucks were not moving even after signing the memorandum of understanding with the government of South Sudan.

However, we have brought him back safely, and we appeal to you to remain calm and allow trade to flow,” Amula said.

He added that the government was aware of the concerns raised by the drivers and was engaging with neighbouring countries to address the issues affecting cross-border transport operations.

During the border security engagement, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) announced that the 17-hour strike had caused losses estimated at 40 billion shillings.

Abbey Mawerere, the URA Eastern Regional Manager, said the losses resulted from disruptions that halted the movement of imports and exports, reducing customs duties, excise taxes, and other trade-related revenues.

He also noted that perishable goods and medicines destined for various hinterland countries that depend on the Port of Mombasa had been affected during the disruption.

“We can not underestimate the effect of the strike because our records already indicate losses of over 40 billion shillings, besides other damages caused to perishable goods and medicines. However, we are optimistic that the accumulated cargo will be processed and traffic flow will return to normal,” Mawerere said.

Although the drivers welcomed the resumption of cargo movement, they called for a review of the provisions in the memorandum of understanding between drivers and South Sudanese authorities, particularly on express penalties related to road use