finance
Truck Drivers Strike at Malaba Border Over Union Leader's Arrest and Alleged Harassment
A one-day protest by cross-border truck drivers at the Malaba border disrupted trade and transport between Uganda and Kenya earlier this week in May 2026. Authorities estimated losses of up to Shs35 billion in revenue collections. The strike ended after the release of union leader Sudi Kauli Mwatela.
May 13, 8:59 AM·2m read1 source
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A cross-border truck drivers' strike at the Malaba border earlier this week in May 2026 disrupted trade and transport between Uganda and Kenya. Authorities estimated losses of up to Shs35 billion in revenue collections during the one-day standoff. Long queues of stranded trucks lined the busy highway on the Ugandan side of the Malaba border after the strike.
Inside the One Stop Border Post at Malaba, the usually busy crossing point fell unusually quiet as movement into and out of Uganda came to a standstill. Truck drivers blocked the main Uganda-Kenya highway using their vehicles, paralysing transport operations for several hours. The protest was against the arrest of Sudi Kauli Mwatela, Chairperson of the Long-Distance Drivers' Union.
Sudi Kauli Mwatela was arrested at the Elegu border over allegations of inciting violence. He was released and returned to Malaba on Monday. There, he was handed over to fellow drivers amid jubilant scenes at the Malaba border.
Speaking shortly after his release, Sudi Kauli Mwatela described his arrest as unfair. He accused security personnel at various border points, particularly Elegu, of persistently mistreating truck drivers. He claimed that drivers are often subjected to harassment, unnecessary stoppages, intimidation, and illegal charges while transporting goods across borders.
"Drivers are facing a lot of challenges during transit, and unless these concerns are handled properly, such situations can happen again," Sudi Kauli Mwatela warned. He warned that failure to address the grievances of truck drivers could trigger more industrial actions in future.
