Uganda protests use of Naivasha port

The Ugandan government has protested the mandatory use of the Naivasha Dry Port for cargo destined to the landlocked country.

Uganda Minister of Works and Transport Edward Katumba-Wamala said the port should be optional, adding that the Nairobi Inland Container Depot (ICD) still needed some improvements.

“Our considered opinion remains that the use of the Naivasha port should be optional though Uganda will continue to encourage the business community to use the Standard Gauge Railway because of its benefits,” he said.

“I would also like to re-affirm that the findings of the technical team in their visit to the ICD need to be addressed to improve the facility, making it more attractive to shippers.”

Ugandan industrialist Alykhan Karmali - the managing director of Mukwano Industries urged the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) to rescind the decision, noting that KPA flouted the contractual agreement. “We have been regular users of the port for the last 35 years and we have never experienced such. You are aware of the contractual carriage obligations that exist between the shipper, consignee and shipping lines,” Karmali said.

Kenya said the port would enhance cargo storage for the region.