A section of Ugandans who have been operating small businesses in Nairobi and other parts of Kenya have started returning home following a directive by the Kenyan government to suspend foreign nationals engaged in small-scale businesses.
Kenyan President William Ruto issued the directive on September 2, 2026, while addressing micro, small and medium-sized enterprise traders at State House in Nairobi.
Ruto said foreign nationals should not compete with Kenyan citizens in businesses such as hawking and small retail enterprises.
The directive took effect on September 7, when Kenyan authorities began enforcing the order against foreign traders.
URN reporters at the Busia One Stop Border Post on Tuesday found Ugandans and other foreign nationals entering Uganda after leaving different parts of Kenya.
Some of the Ugandans said they had travelled from Nairobi and other distant parts of Kenya and arrived at the border on Monday night before being cleared to return home.Nicolas Opio, a poultry trader in Nairobi, said the situation became increasingly difficult after the presidential directive was announced.
He said foreign traders operating in areas including Eastleigh and Dandora in Nairobi had been harassed, while some of their businesses were destroyed. Opio said the situation had forced many traders to abandon their businesses and return to Uganda.
Jayish Miriman, a Rwandan national who was also returning home through Busia, said he had lost his business and merchandise during the unrest. He said some foreign traders were forced to flee after their businesses were destroyed by groups of Kenyans.
Miriman said he was relieved to have reached the border and hoped to make it safely back home, although he was returning without the goods and property he had taken to Kenya.He said some of his colleagues were injured during attacks as they attempted to leave.
John Charles Namayindi, the Busia District LC V Chairperson, said more than 2,000 Ugandans affected by the directive had crossed back into Uganda since Sunday.
He criticised the Kenyan decision, saying it undermines the principles of East African Community integration and the free movement of people and trade within the region.
Peter Okeyoh, the Member of Parliament for Bukholi Island in Namayingo District, said authorities in the eastern region were monitoring developments at the border.
Okeyoh said they were concerned about the impact of the Kenyan directive on Ugandans who had travelled to Kenya to earn a living.
He said the developments could undermine regional economic integration and reverse gains made by East African countries in promoting cross-border trade and movement.
The return of Ugandan traders comes as Kenya begins enforcing restrictions on foreign nationals operating small-scale businesses, with hundreds of affected traders now seeking to return to their countries-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
