Tanzanian President John Magufuli and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni on Thursday agreed to work together in strengthening trade and protecting local industries in the two neighboring countries.

Speaking in the Tanzanian commercial capital Dar es Salaam, the two leaders pledged to control illegal imports of key commodities into the East African Community (EAC) member states of Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan.

They said it was high time the two countries invest more in improving and facilitating trade activities to stimulate development.

Museveni was on an official tour in Tanzania where he delivered a report of the BRICS summit held last month in South Africa and how investors from various parts of the world could grab investment opportunities available in East Africa.

Museveni said Uganda maintained sound diplomatic and trade ties with Tanzania and the two countries were eager to boost trade and investments in various sectors including energy, infrastructure, oil and gas.

Museveni applauded Tanzania for launching train cargo service to Uganda through Lake Victoria ports of Mwanza and Port Bell in Uganda.

The train connects the ports of Dar es Salaam to Uganda through Tabora and Isaka in western Tanzania, then Mwanza port by ships.