KAMPALA / ENTEBBE — Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni met with South Sudan’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Labanya Margaret Mathya Ugila, and her accompanying delegation at State House Entebbe on the sidelines of the 2nd Uganda–South Sudan Business Forum and Exhibition.
The high-level engagement comes as bilateral trade between the two neighboring countries grows to an estimated US$700 million, up from about US$490 million in 2019. This expansion has solidified South Sudan’s position as one of Uganda’s primary export markets, with Ugandan businesses supplying essential commodities including food, construction materials, manufactured goods, and refined products.
Despite this upward trajectory, private sector stakeholders on both sides continue to face persistent hurdles—such as border delays, lengthy product-testing clearances, infrastructure constraints, and regulatory bottlenecks—that elevate the cost of conducting cross-border business.
Addressing these challenges during their talks, President Museveni emphasized the necessity of structural improvements to sustain commercial growth.
“Uganda is already exporting goods worth about $700 million annually to South Sudan, but we can do much more. To grow this trade, we must address trade barriers, improve security along the Juba – Nimule road and advance the electricity transmission project,” President Museveni stated.
The discussions also touched upon broader diplomatic and political developments, including South Sudan’s forthcoming general elections. President Museveni and Dr. Ugila underscored the vital importance of peace, regional stability, and continued cooperation between Kampala and Juba.
The 2nd Uganda–South Sudan Business Forum, held under the theme “Easing the Cost of Doing Business and Unlocking Regional Market Opportunities for Uganda and South Sudan,” brings together government officials, trade authorities, investors, and logistics providers at Mestil Hotel & Residences in Kampala to craft practical solutions for regional economic integration.
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