Uganda, South Sudan sign trade MoU, pledge to ease border tensions

What the report says

Uganda and South Sudan have signed a memorandum of understanding on trade aimed at reducing border frictions and making cross-border commerce smoother, according to The Independent Uganda. The agreement was concluded in Kampala at the second Uganda-South Sudan Business Forum and Exhibition, held at Mestil Hotel under a theme focused on lowering business costs and expanding regional market opportunities.

The pact was signed by Uganda’s Minister of State for Industry David Bahati and South Sudan’s Minister of Trade and Industry Dr Labanya Margaret Mathya. Officials said the MoU covers trade promotion, information sharing, investment facilitation and monitoring of commitments, and will be backed by joint technical committees, a roadmap and regular review meetings. Ugandan and South Sudanese officials said the aim is to address delays, repeated checks, extra costs and other barriers reported by traders along the Kampala-Gulu-Nimule-Juba corridor.

Bahati said the agreement should be measured by practical results such as fewer trade barriers, more investment and jobs, while also calling for a review of South Sudan’s e-permit system and more coordinated border operations. He said Uganda’s exports to South Sudan are far larger than South Sudan’s exports to Uganda. Dr Labanya said South Sudan remains open to investors and that her government is working to reduce non-tariff barriers.

The report also noted broader regional context: Uganda and South Sudan are both members of the East African Community and COMESA, and their leaders have previously discussed border trade, security and immigration issues. The new MoU is being presented as part of those continuing efforts, though its impact will depend on implementation.