Uganda protests to Kenya government over seizure of Lato Milk

The Government of Uganda through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally protested to the Kenya Government over blocking and confiscation of Lato Milk one of the most popular milk brands in the region.

The Ministry says that Kenyan authorities have continued to deliberately constrain and impose un-warranted restrictions on the smooth importation of Uganda's milk and milk products into Kenya and is deeply concerned about the illegal seizure of the milk products on allegations that it is contraband,counterfeit and substandard.

Uganda claims that Kenya seized 54,310 kg of powder milk valued at Sh 20 million and 262,632 litres of UHT milk valued at Sh 15 million.

"We have witnessed sustained negative campaign against Uganda's milk products contravening the principle of good neighbourliness under the Treaty establishing the EAC, Customs Union, Protocol and Common Markets Protocol and the WTO facilitation agreement," said the Ministry.

"The Ministry would like to observe that Uganda provides a significant market for Kenya with imports worth $720.14 million in 2018/19. Further for the period 1998/99 to 2018/19 Uganda consistently posted a trade deficit with Kenya with the exception of 2016/17 and 2017/18. Today, the trade balance between Uganda and Kenya is in Kenya's favor. It is therefore unfortunate that an increase in exports of milk by Uganda can elicit such a profound and negative reaction from the Government of Kenya."