Kampala — UGANDANS who lost their property in the post-election violence in Kenya may be compensated.

The Kenyan high commissioner to Uganda, Japheth Getugi, said the Kenyan authorities were discussing the matter.

"We regret the loss of lives, time and slowing down of business during the violence in Kenya.

Vehicles were destroyed and drivers molested. Requests for compensation have been made and the authorities are dealing with them," Getugi recently told manufacturers in Kampala.

Several trucks destined for Uganda from Mombasa were torched by demonstrators in Kenya.

The manufacturers said the cost of transporting goods to and from Mombasa were increasing.

James Kalibbala, the chairman of Uganda Manufacturers Association, said during the violence, transporting a 20foot container from Mombasa to Kampala went up by $400 (sh680,000) to $2,600 (sh4.4m).

But, Getugi said transport along the route had normalised and more trade barriers would be reduced.