(KAMPALA, UGANDA) – South Sudan traders are demanding fair access to Ugandan suppliers, raising concerns over intermediaries allegedly dominating the market, as both countries signed a trade agreement to remove barriers that increase costs.
The memorandum of understanding was signed on 14th October 2026 at the second Uganda and South Sudan Business Forum and Exhibition in Kampala.
It was signed by Uganda’s Minister of State for Industry, David Bahati, and South Sudan’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Labanya Margaret Mathya.
A joint technical committee will oversee the implementation of agreed activities. A clear roadmap will also address specific border bottlenecks with timelines and measurable outcomes.
The urgency of the agreement reflects a wide trade imbalance. Mr Bahati said Uganda exported goods worth about $524 million to South Sudan.
In contrast, South Sudan’s exports to Uganda stood at approximately $22 million.
South Sudan’s Ambassador to Uganda, Paul Malong Akaro, said traders cannot buy goods directly from Ugandan manufacturers despite having the financial capacity.
“Our traders don’t have access to manufacturers to buy goods from Uganda,” Mr Akaro said, calling on Uganda’s Ministry of Trade to address the issue.
Ugandan goods, particularly construction materials, supply major markets in Juba, creating business opportunities for local manufacturers and traders.
Exporters moving goods through Uganda face standards and clearance challenges despite improvements in digital border processing.
Mr Bahati identified delays associated with South Sudan’s electronic permit system, repeated cargo inspections, multiple checkpoints, unofficial charges and inconsistent clearance procedures along the Kampala to Gulu to Nimule to Juba corridor as major obstacles.
Uganda’s Ambassador to South Sudan, Brigadier General Ronnie Balya, said joint technical committees would oversee implementation through a roadmap containing timelines, measurable targets and regular review meetings.
“We should judge the success of the MoU not by the signing ceremony alone,” Mr Bahati said, stressing that its value should be measured by tangible economic outcomes.
The partnership between the two countries is part of broader regional objectives toward economic integration and industrial transformation.
Regional integration must move beyond policy commitment towards implementation, investment and measurable economic outcomes, officials said.
