{
  "id": 6593699,
  "title": "Kadaga urges Ugandans in Kenya to regularise their stays",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/kadaga-urges-ugandans-in-kenya-to-regularise-their-stays",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-10T13:49:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Capital Business",
    "slug": "capital-business",
    "url": "https://capitalfm.africa/kadaga-urges-ugandans-in-kenya-to-regularise-their-stays/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kampala, Uganda – Uganda's Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga, has called on Ugandans residing and conducting business in Kenya to formalize their presence and adhere to local laws. Kadaga clarified that President William Ruto's recent directive targeting illegal foreign traders should not be misconstrued as an expulsion order for Ugandans, but rather a request for them to register and acquire the required permits and licenses. \"I don’t want this matter to be understood as an expulsion of non-Kenyans,\" she stated to NBS TV. According to Kadaga, the East African Community Common Market Protocol permits citizens of member states to traverse and operate within the region, but it does not waive their responsibility to obey the host country's regulations. \"We are not yet a federation, so we still have sovereign obligations and sovereign rights. The protocol allows people to move and work in different partner states, but I think you need to do it through the proper means,\" she added. Kadaga advised Ugandans planning to reside or engage in commerce in Kenya to notify the appropriate authorities and secure the necessary documentation. \"You don’t just walk in and say, ‘I’m taking this land here.’ You should apply and inform the partner that I’m coming to stay in your country, I’m so-and-so and I’m coming to do ABCD here, so that they know where you are,\" she emphasized. The directive from President Ruto to target illegal foreign traders, including those operating small-scale businesses like kiosks and hawking, led to tension among foreign traders, causing some businesses to cease operations and others to depart the country via Nairobi's major bus stations. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei later apologized to Burundian nationals for any harassment that arose from the confusion surrounding the crackdown on unlicensed foreign traders. Sing’oei assured them that the government would provide enhanced security as they formalize their documentation. Kadaga's remarks have reignited discussions about the implementation of the EAC Common Market Protocol and the entitlements of citizens from partner states to traverse, work, and conduct business across the region.",
  "summary": "Kadaga said President William Ruto’s directive to crack down on illegal foreign traders should not be interpreted as an order to expel Ugandans from Kenya, but as a call for them to register and obtain the necessary permits and licences.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}