(KAMPALA, UGANDA) – President Yoweri Museveni has called for peace during South Sudan’s December elections.
He also urged both countries to address trade barriers, improve security along the Juba-Nimule road and advance the electricity transmission line.
Mr Museveni made the call after meeting a South Sudanese delegation led by Trade and Industry Minister Dr Labanya Margaret Mathya Ugila at State House Entebbe.
The delegation is in Uganda for the Joint Business Forum.
“We also exchanged views on South Sudan’s forthcoming elections and the importance of peace, stability and continued cooperation between our two countries,” Mr Museveni said on his social media platform X on Wednesday evening.
He said Uganda already exports goods worth about $700 million to South Sudan each year.
“Uganda is already exporting goods worth about $700 million annually to South Sudan, but we can do much more,” he said.
“To grow this trade, we must address trade barriers, improve security along the Juba-Nimule road and advance the electricity transmission project.”
South Sudan heads to the general elections on 22nd December.
It would be the country’s first election since independence in 2011.
Last month, South Sudan President Salva Kiir signed amendments to the election law.
The changes removed requirements that linked elections to the completion of a permanent constitution and a national census.
The South Sudan Opposition Alliance rejected the changes.
The coalition of opposition parties and a signatory to the 2018 peace agreement said the changes were made without adequate consultation among the agreement’s parties.
Kiir’s longtime rival Riek Machar, who leads the main opposition SPLM-IO, has been under house arrest since March 2025.
He is on trial on charges including treason and murder, which he denies.
Last week, the President replaced the head of the elections commission without giving any reason.
Kiir’s office said the amendments to the National Elections Act of 2012 marked “another major milestone” in preparations for the vote.
Under the amended law, the incumbent executive leadership remains in office with full constitutional powers through the election period until a newly elected president assumes office.
The legislation also provides for the first vice president and other vice presidents to leave office within three months before election day.
The law reduces the National Legislative Assembly to 270 members from 650.
State assemblies will have 58 members, down from 100, while legislative councils in administrative areas will have 20 members.
South Sudan enters a critical phase of election preparations, although voter registration has not begun.
Edmund Yakani, executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation, urged leaders to settle their differences peacefully.
“Don’t return us to war,” Yakani said in a statement. “Sort out your political differences through non-violent means.”
South Sudan’s transitional period was established under a 2018 peace agreement after years of conflict.
Election preparations have been repeatedly delayed amid slow progress on key benchmarks, including drafting a permanent constitution and conducting a census.
Separately, Mr Museveni asked the European Union to support Africa to process its raw materials and create jobs.
He said Africa earning from its products also creates a bigger market for European goods.
Mr Museveni hosted an EU delegation led by Ambassador Jan Sadek at State House Entebbe on Wednesday.
“I emphasised that Europe should support Africa to process its raw materials, add value and create jobs,” he said.
“When we earn more from our products, we also create a bigger market for European goods. This is how we become partners in prosperity rather than victims of cooperation.”
He said they also discussed support for the Parish Development Program, irrigation, wetland protection and affordable electricity for manufacturing.
Mr Museveni said Africa’s prosperity is good for everyone, and that cooperation should be based on mutual benefit and respect for each other’s sovereignty.
Mr Museveni also met Mehamood Hosein, Founder and Chairman of HIVE Global Group from the United States, on Wednesday afternoon.
They discussed opportunities to develop Uganda’s Artificial Intelligence industry and build a technology ecosystem that supports economic growth.
“I welcome his interest in Uganda, particularly in our energy sector, young people and the establishment of a local AI company and the Global AI Village,” he said.
