The arrest of Kenyan police officer Philex Osamong, attached to the Malaba Kenya One-Stop Border Point, had brought a stop to the border. The officer had been detained on allegations of aiding the smuggling of Uganda Revenue Authority uniforms into Uganda and transferred to Kampala for further investigations.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Group and Receive Daily News
Normalcy only prevailed after the release of Philex Osamong. Trade and movement at the Malaba border thereafter became possible.
The arrest had caused significant chaos on both sides of the border, as hundreds of truck drivers got stranded due to roadblocks erected by angry Kenyan protesters.
Using stones and logs, the protesters effectively cut off access between the two countries, demanding the unconditional release of their colleague.
Faced with mounting pressure and the growing economic impact, authorities from both Uganda and Kenya convened emergency private meetings that lasted the entire day. Later in the evening, a resolution was reached, and the detained officer was granted police bond as investigations continued.
Both sides issued public apologies, pledging to work together to prevent such incidents in the future, with the Ugandan side saying, “We regret the disruptions caused and assure the public that such misunderstandings will not happen again,” a statement from the Tororo RDC office read.
The incident has signified the Malaba border as a critical node for trade in the East African region.
Also Read: Authorities Launch Investigations as Anthrax Kills Two in Kazo
