The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has made a change to help cargo in Uganda. They are giving more time for free storage of cargo. Betty Mkonyi, who represents KPA in Uganda, told KPA’s partners in Kampala about this.
Before, cargo could stay for free at the port for nine days. Now, they can stay for 15 days without paying. But if the cargo stays between 15 and 21 days, the owner has to pay $30 for a 20-ft container and $60 for a 40-ft container. After 21 days, it costs $45 for a 20-ft container and $90 for a 40-ft container.
Mombasa Port is very important for trade between Africa, Europe, Asia, and America. Even though it’s in a good place for trade, it hasn’t reached its full potential yet. The Kenyan government and its partners are spending a lot of money on roads, waterways, and railways to connect the port to other places.
George Owinow, the Kenyan High Commissioner to Uganda, praised KPA for making the port better. He said it helps trade in the Great Lakes Region. Owinow also thanked the governments for working together on the infrastructure.
Kenyan President William Ruto has made new rules to make Mombasa Port work better. Now, it must work 24 hours every day with government agencies and cargo handlers.
Uganda uses Mombasa Port the most after Kenya. It gets 24% of the cargo that goes through Mombasa, which is about 80% of Uganda’s imports and exports. Some cargo goes through other ports and Entebbe Airport. Other countries like South Sudan, Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania also use the port.
