Museveni tells off Raila over sugar deal

President Yoweri Museveni will try to engage with Kenyan political leader Raila Odinga over his opposition to opening the Kenyan market to Uganda sugar exports.

Addressing members of the East African Legislative Assembly in Kampala, Museveni said he would advise Kenya’s former prime minister who has been attacking the sugar pact made between the Ugandan leader and his counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta to stop his attacks and focus his energies elsewhere.

According to President Museveni, he is happy President Kenyatta understands that the prosperity of Uganda is good for Kenya, but is surprised that Raila Odinga is opposing this sugar pact, when as leaders they should be focusing on existential issues such as security.

The president said that he expected Kenyan civil servants to stop erecting non-tariff barriers against maize and sugar and to instead ensure that Ugandan goods are taken to Kenya without any hindrance.

President Museveni said Uganda too had civil servants who would be eager to block exports from Kenya and that the only reason this is not happening is that he understands that when you are not producing enough, it is good to build up your neighbour.

Mr Odinga had accused President Kenyatta and his technocrats of mixing state with personal business, by agreeing to open up the Kenyan market for Ugandan sugar