Ugandan parliament protests ban of maize imports by Kenya
Ugandan lawmakers on Tuesday protested the ban of maize imports by neighboring Kenya over alleged "safety" concerns.
Rebecca Kadaga, parliament speaker directed the Prime Minister and leader of government business, Ruhakana Rugunda to present a statement to parliament on Wednesday on the action being taken to address the recent ban of Ugandan maize by Kenya.
"We shall take our resolution whether the government comes here or not. Parliament will pass resolutions for reciprocation," said Kadaga.
The legislators protested what they termed as unfair treatment of Ugandan traders by the Kenyan government.
"The government should block all the imports from Kenya following the move to ban maize from Uganda," said Godfrey Macho, a lawmaker from the border municipality of Busia.
"It is not a favor for our people to trade with Kenya. This has been going on for long and we need to have action taken," said opposition legislator, Abdu Katuntu.
Kenya last week announced with immediate effect the ban of the importation of maize cereal from Uganda and Tanzania over concerns of not being fit for human consumption.
Kenyan authorities last year seized Ugandan made milk products over safety concerns.
