President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called for improved road infrastructure, electricity connectivity and security cooperation between Uganda and South Sudan to strengthen bilateral trade and ease the movement of goods across their shared border.
The President made the proposals on Wednesday during a meeting with a delegation of senior South Sudanese government officials led by the country’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Labanya Margaret Mathya, at State House, Entebbe.
Museveni said Uganda’s annual exports to South Sudan had grown from about $500 million to $700 million, highlighting the need for both countries to address barriers that increase the cost of doing business.
He identified three priority areas for joint action: upgrading the Juba–Nimule road, establishing an electricity interconnection between the two countries and strengthening cooperation between their security forces.
“We should work on three areas: working with the African Development Bank on constructing the Juba–Nimule road for business between the two countries, building the power line, and then also our two armies cooperating on securing the borders,” Museveni said.
The President also proposed establishing a one-stop border centre to simplify clearance procedures, reduce delays and facilitate the movement of traders, goods and people between the two countries.
The proposals come amid efforts by Kampala and Juba to deepen economic cooperation and address longstanding complaints from traders about non-tariff barriers, insecurity and delays along major trade routes.
Dr Labanya said the South Sudanese delegation was in Uganda to participate in a business forum aimed at exchanging ideas and finding practical solutions to challenges affecting cross-border commerce.
“Uganda is one of the biggest exporters to South Sudan. We really appreciate and are extremely glad for that trade in our country. It faces very few hurdles like non-tariff barriers between Nimule and Juba. We came to see better ways to make trade more seamless, acceptable and tasteful to both countries,” she said.
She acknowledged Uganda’s contribution to South Sudan’s imports but said the two countries needed to make trade more efficient and mutually beneficial.
Labanya also argued that cooperation should extend beyond commercial transactions to encompass peace, healthcare and the exchange of knowledge.
“Trade is everything. We trade in peace, health and in our own intellectual ideas between the two countries and ensuring that the exchange of trade continues,” she said.
She assured Ugandan traders that her office remained open to addressing their concerns.
Security concerns along trade routes
Security along the Nimule–Juba corridor emerged as a key concern during the meeting, with the South Sudanese minister acknowledging complaints from traders about roadblocks and other impediments.
She said the government had taken steps to remove several roadblocks and was working to address the remaining concerns.
“Security of the population, mainly the traders, is key. Some of them were subjected to roadblocks. Most of them were removed recently,” Labanya said.
The corridor is a major route for goods entering South Sudan from Uganda, making its security and efficiency important to businesses in both countries.
Uganda’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Sanjay Tanna, said traders continued to face challenges relating to non-tariff barriers, clearance delays, insecurity and the high cost of financial services.
He also cited complaints from Ugandan traders operating in South Sudan over delays in resolving compensation claims.
“The issues on our side are more or less the same. Administration that keeps changing; when a new person comes, they keep coming. Some include non-tariff barriers, delays in clearance, and insecurity was high, which are resolved when they are raised. Security of our people, the element of high costs of financial institutions doing business. The Ugandan community of traders that has visited me raised the issue of compensation. Their side is slow, our side is quick; however, they have committed to improve,” Tanna said.
He called for stronger coordination between the two governments to resolve traders’ complaints and improve the business environment.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of reliable transport and energy infrastructure in supporting industrial development, investment and regional integration.
The proposed electricity interconnection could strengthen energy cooperation, while improvements to the Juba–Nimule road and border procedures could help reduce transport costs and delays for businesses.
The meeting was attended by Attorney General Dr Sam Mayanja, Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development Amos Lugoloobi, and South Sudan’s Ambassador to Uganda, Paul Malong Akaro.
The proposals are expected to require further engagement between the two governments and relevant institutions, including the African Development Bank, before their implementation.