Businesses at the Busia border have been paralysed following an ongoing protest over fuel prices in Kenya.
Traders are stranded with their goods, and shops remain closed at the border, as security battles rioters in Busia, Kenya.
The standoff started on Monday and has left three people dead after they were reportedly hit by stray bullets fired by Kenyan police.
The rise in fuel prices has been attributed to global supply disruptions linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict, which has affected international oil markets.
However, Kenyans say the prices are too high and are calling on the government to reduce taxes on fuel to ease the burden on consumers.
Early this week, a litre of petrol and diesel in Kenya was retailing at 244 Kenyan shillings, equivalent to approximately Shs7,300.
In Uganda, petrol was retailing at about Shs6,000 per litre, while diesel was priced at around Shs5,650 per litre, meaning fuel prices were nearly Shs1,500 higher in Kenya compared to Uganda.
Mr Babu Kayongo, a resident of Sofia, alleged that three people, including a leader of the Jobless Boys, were shot dead during riots on Tuesday evening.
‘Today, bullets have been ringing out as police disperse rioters in Busia, Kenya, who are burning tyres and blocking roads,’ Mr Kayongo said.
He said Ugandan traders engaged in cross-border trade have fled the area, leaving behind their merchandise in Kenya following the riots.
Mr Kayongo said traders from Uganda who deal in fresh produce such as cassava, avocados, and other food items have remained stuck with their goods on the Ugandan side of the border.
Ms Scovia Nabwire, a cross-border woman trader dealing in fresh food in Busia, Kenya, said she fled the area and left all her merchandise after riots broke out and gunfire was heard.
‘I left all my fruits in Kenya and ran away as youths threw stones and burned tyres, while police responded with tear gas and live bullets,’ Ms Nabwire narrated.
Ms Nabwire, like many other traders, is worried that her goods may be looted or could spoil by the time she returns to her stall in Busia, Kenya.
Mr Musa Hasyasya, a boda boda rider who was in Busia, Kenya, when the riots began, described the situation as very serious and chaotic.
Mr Hasyasya said stones thrown by a group of young men were flying over their heads as police responded with bullets and tear gas.
On the Uganda side of the border, trucks that were scheduled to cross into Kenya have remained parked in long queues, while the border gates on the Kenyan side remain closed.
Bus and truck owners, fearing being caught up in the violent protests, have parked their vehicles in Sofia on the Ugandan side of the border.
Kenyans fearing being caught up in the protests have temporarily fled and crossed into Marachi and Sofia as they monitor the tense situation across the border.
‘I am a Kenyan, but I have closed my shop and fled to Uganda because it is safer. I will monitor the situation before crossing back,’ Mr Muhuno said.
Mr Ronnie Ikinyum, a clearing agent, said not a single truck has crossed either side of the border, either from Uganda or Kenya, since yesterday, when the riots began.
‘All trucks destined for Kenya are held up in long queues on the Uganda side of the border, while those on the Kenyan side have also not crossed,’ Mr Ikinyum said.
Mr Frank Kasumba, a border resident, said the riots in Kenya have a significant economic impact not only on residents in Busia but also on Uganda and the wider region.
He said the riots are blocking imports into and exports out of the region, which he said is hurting the economy.
‘I am wondering how many millions of money have been lost in the last three days since the riots broke out in Kenya,’ Mr Kasumba said.
He said local businesses have also been affected by the riots because they are highly dependent on Kenya.
‘When we have riots in Kenya, it means most of our traders who operate businesses across the border are cut off. The shops selling clothes and traders dealing in cereals have no customers because the buyers are Kenyans,’ Mr Kasumba said.